Armenia’s Opposition in Turmoil: Former Presidents Kocharyan and Sargsyan Blame Each Other for Pashinyan’s Rise

In a country still recovering from war, loss, and political crisis, Armenia’s two former presidents are now locked in a bitter fight with each other. Their feud is dividing the political opposition, confusing their supporters, and weakening any hope of presenting a united front against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government.

At a February 17 press conference, former President Robert Kocharyan made it clear that he has serious disagreements with the supporters of his successor, former President Serzh Sargsyan. He even rejected the idea of uniting their forces.

“They unite when a synergy effect is achieved,” Kocharyan said, using a math example to make his point. “If 5 plus 5 becomes 12 or 13, then it’s unity. But if 5 plus 5 becomes 7, then it’s not. With us, this synergy does not exist.”

What followed was a wave of finger-pointing from both sides. Supporters of Kocharyan and Sargsyan have been accusing each other of one thing: helping Nikol Pashinyan rise to power during the 2018 “Velvet Revolution.”

This week, Sargsyan added fuel to the fire during a speech marking the 35th anniversary of his Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). Without saying Kocharyan’s name, Sargsyan accused his rival’s team of being involved in the 2018 protests that forced him to resign. He said they were now trying to rewrite history and blame him for everything that happened afterward, including the loss of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

“It’s clear to me why they behave like that,” Sargsyan said. “They want to clean their recent past by blaming me for what happened in 2018.”

Supporters of Kocharyan fired back online, reminding Sargsyan of his own words in 2018, when he said powerful forces had defeated him—possibly referring to foreign influence or hidden hands inside Armenia.

Many Armenians feel lost and confused. While the current government faces criticism over its handling of security, the economy, and relations with Azerbaijan, the opposition itself is now publicly fighting. The people expected leadership and unity—but what they are seeing instead is chaos and blame.

Both Kocharyan and Sargsyan are originally from Nagorno-Karabakh and were key leaders during the 1991–1994 war with Azerbaijan. They once worked closely together in Yerevan, with Kocharyan handing power to Sargsyan in 2008. But that partnership is clearly over.

In his speech, Sargsyan did not hold back his anger toward the current government either. He called Pashinyan’s administration “the world champion of lying” and accused it of making false promises.

“They promised peace but gave us war. They promised prosperity but we got emigration. They promised to protect Artsakh but surrendered it,” he said. He also warned Armenians that their homes might one day be seen as part of a future border dispute.

Sargsyan ended his remarks by calling for the removal of what he described as “capitulatory authorities,” referring to Pashinyan’s government.

In response, Ruben Rubinyan, the deputy speaker of parliament and a member of Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party, mocked Sargsyan’s statements. He pointed out that it was Sargsyan’s own party, the HHK, that voted to make Pashinyan prime minister in 2018.

“If power was taken by force, then Serzh Sargsyan helped do it,” Rubinyan said. “If this was done by outside forces, then Serzh Sargsyan and the Republican Party were part of a foreign-led coup.”

What was once seen as a potential force to challenge Pashinyan’s rule has now split into separate camps fighting each other. Instead of offering solutions, Armenia’s opposition leaders are focused on rewriting history and blaming one another.

As Armenians face serious issues—border insecurity, economic hardship, and the loss of Artsakh—the opposition’s infighting raises troubling questions. If they cannot work together now, how can they lead the country in the future?

This ongoing feud leaves the public not just frustrated but increasingly uncertain about who, if anyone, can lead Armenia toward a better tomorrow.

To support independent Armenian journalism, consider subscribing to The Armenian Report. Thank you in advance for your support.