Pashinyan Appoints Srbuhi Galyan as Armenia’s New Justice Minister

After nearly a month with the post vacant, Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has appointed Srbuhi Galyan as the new justice minister. This decision, announced following weeks of deliberation, marks an important step in shaping Armenia’s judicial leadership—especially with the upcoming constitutional referendum.

The Civil Contract party board, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, met late Tuesday to decide on a nominee. Following their discussions, Pashinyan revealed through a Facebook post that Srbuhi Galyan, currently the deputy prosecutor general, was chosen to take on the role. Galyan’s nomination has caught attention, as she emerged from a competitive group of five candidates. Among the other considered individuals were notable figures such as Yeghishe Kirakosyan, who represents Armenia in international legal matters, and Gagik Jhangiryan, a former acting chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council.

The search for a new justice minister began after Grigor Minasyan resigned from the position on October 1. Minasian’s resignation followed a call by more than a dozen pro-government lawmakers who signed a petition urging Pashinyan to replace him. These lawmakers argued that the new justice minister should have a close affiliation with the ruling party to ensure alignment with the party’s goals and strategies.

At 32, Srbuhi Galyan is seen as a capable and qualified choice by the Armenian government. Her current role as deputy prosecutor general has involved overseeing cases related to illegal property confiscation, a complex and sensitive area in Armenia’s justice system. Galyan took on this responsibility in September 2020, bringing experience from her earlier role as deputy minister of justice, which she held for approximately a year.

Her recent work has placed her in the spotlight as she coordinated investigations into unlawful property acquisition and managed legal processes to ensure that justice was served in high-profile cases. Colleagues describe her as dedicated and committed to enforcing legal standards and tackling corruption, making her an appealing candidate for the justice minister role.

The ruling Civil Contract party and its supporters anticipate that her leadership will bring a renewed focus on legal reforms and strengthen the government’s stance on transparency and accountability. 

Observers will be watching closely as Galyan steps into her new role, hopeful that her background and experience will help Armenia advance toward a more robust and fair legal system.