Political Unrest in Gyumri as Majority Bloc Resigns Over Legal Disputes and Power Struggles

In Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, a major shake-up in local politics is unfolding as the majority bloc within the City Council has resigned en masse. These members, representing an alliance not affiliated with Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party, stepped down shortly after the resignation of Gyumri’s Mayor, Vardges Samsonian. This mass exit has stirred speculation that a new mayoral vote may soon take place and even raised the prospect of an early election in the city.  

This decision by the bloc, which is informally led by Samvel Balasanyan—a prominent local businessman and former mayor—has roots in escalating tensions. Earlier this month, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Balasanyan, accusing him and four associates of illegally privatizing city land in 2014. This action, however, has faced strong criticism from various Armenian groups, who allege that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's ruling Civil Contract party is using legal charges to tighten its political grip on Gyumri. 

The Balasanyan Bloc, controlling 14 of the 33 seats in Gyumri’s council, was left virtually incapacitated as legal pressures intensified. Balasanyan, reportedly out of the country and currently in the United States seeking medical treatment, has so far remained silent on these legal issues. His absence and the criminal cases have placed the bloc’s political future in jeopardy. Civil Contract, which holds 11 council seats, is closely watching these developments. By law, the council can continue functioning with only 19 members, as 17 votes are required for a quorum. However, the question remains whether minority factions will cooperate with Civil Contract if it attempts to secure a quorum and appoint a new mayor.

Should this maneuver fail and a new mayor cannot be elected, the entire council would be dissolved, triggering fresh elections. Meanwhile, governance in Gyumri would temporarily shift to an interim mayor, appointed by Armenia’s central government, until a full election is arranged.

Located in the Shirak region, Gyumri is a strategic city in Armenia, and its leadership is seen as vital by both local and national political actors. Mushegh Muradyan, governor of Shirak and a Civil Contract member, openly expressed ambitions for the ruling party to take control of the city’s administration, suggesting that a new local election may be an inevitable outcome. In recent remarks, he noted, “We will decide when the time is right for a fresh election and a new power in [the city].”

Further cementing the intent, Alen Simonyan, the Speaker of Armenia’s Parliament and a key figure in Civil Contract, echoed these sentiments. Last week, he told local media that his party is preparing for the possibility of a snap election in Gyumri, tentatively scheduled for the latter part of next year. Following a board meeting led by Prime Minister Pashinyan, Civil Contract members even selected a mayoral candidate in preparation for this potential vote.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, whose administration is now facing opposition claims of manipulating local politics, recently addressed the issue in the Armenian Parliament. When opposition members suggested that the government was leveraging legal accusations for political gain, he appeared to shrug off the allegations with humor, denying any prior knowledge of the unfolding events in Gyumri. Pashinyan’s response, however, has done little to quell suspicions of political interference among opposition factions.

The next steps in Gyumri’s political landscape remain uncertain. The exit of Balasanyan’s bloc leaves a power vacuum, one that could either be swiftly filled by Civil Contract or result in prolonged political deadlock, requiring a public vote to resolve. While the exact timetable for any new elections remains unclear, one thing is certain: Gyumri’s political future has drawn the attention of both the local population and Armenia’s political leaders.