# Strong Armenia

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Political alliance in Armenia

Strong Armenia Ուժեղ Հայաստան Leader Samvel Karapetyan Founded 8 December 2025 Headquarters Yerevan, Armenia Ideology Pro-Armenian Apostolic Church Political position Big tent[1] National Assembly 0 / 107 Website strongarmenia.am Politics of Armenia Political parties Elections

**Strong Armenia** ([Armenian](/source/Armenian_language): Ուժեղ Հայաստան, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Armenian): *Uzhegh Hayastan*) is an [Armenian](/source/Armenia) political party established in 2025 by businessman [Samvel Karapetyan](/source/Samvel_Karapetyan_(businessman)) after the violent [expulsion](/source/Expulsion_of_Nagorno-Karabakh_Armenians) of all ethnic [Armenians](/source/Armenians_in_Azerbaijan) from their homeland in [Karabakh](/source/Karabakh) by Azerbaijan and the moves of the Armenian government [towards Azerbaijan](/source/Armenia%E2%80%93Azerbaijan_relations) on potential recognition of the loss of [Artsakh](/source/Republic_of_Artsakh) that also involved giving over land in UN-recognized Armenia.[2] The party was originally called the **Pro-Armenian party** before renaming in January 2026.[3] Karapetyan was elected chairman of the party on 11 February 2026.[4]

## Background

Main articles: [2024 Armenian protests](/source/2024_Armenian_protests), [Samvel Karapetyan (businessman)](/source/Samvel_Karapetyan_(businessman)), and [2025 Armenian coup attempt allegations](/source/2025_Armenian_coup_attempt_allegations)

From April to June 2024, the [Armenian Apostolic Church](/source/Armenian_Apostolic_Church) (AAC) became directly involved in the nations politics when Primate [Bagrat Galstanyan](/source/Bagrat_Galstanyan) [openly called for regime change](/source/2024_Armenian_protests) against [Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_Armenia) [Nikol Pashinyan](/source/Nikol_Pashinyan) seeking to see himself installed in his place with the backing of Patriarch [Garegin II](/source/Garegin_II).[5][6] Galstanyan argued that attempted western alignment was unnatural and that Armenia's place was with the former [USSR](/source/USSR) states, among the [CSTO](/source/CSTO) and [EEU](/source/Eurasian_Economic_Union).[6] During the height of the protests, as more and more clergy joined, Pashinyan alleged that Garegin II had broken his oaths of [chastity](/source/Chastity) and sired a [secret child](/source/Legitimacy_(family_law)) out of [wedlock](/source/Wedlock) and was therefore not a valid Patriarch.[7] In response, Garegin's spokesmen Father Zareh Ashuryan called Pashinyan [circumcised](/source/Circumcised) and in violation of his baptismal vows, and Pashinyan responded by offering to show Garegin that he wasn't circumcised in person.[8] Despite the exchange earning the ire of [social conservatives](/source/Social_conservatism) in society, the protests fizzled out and failed in its objective of pressuring Pashinyan to either resign or call a fresh election with Galstanyan stating he would transform his support base into a "new concept."[9][6]

[Samvel Karapetyan](/source/Samvel_Karapetyan_(businessman)) is an Armenian-born [Russian oligarch](/source/Russian_oligarchs) and [billionaire](/source/Billionaire) that amassed a fortune in the Russian gas industry and real estate who, in 2018, was named by the [US Treasury Department](/source/US_Treasury_Department) in the [Putin](/source/Vladimir_Putin) list, consisting of 114 senior political figures and 96 oligarchs, all of whom rose to prominence under Putin's leadership.[10][11] In April 2021, the [Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan](/source/Prosecutor_General's_Office_of_Azerbaijan) opened a criminal case against Karapetyan for allegedly illegally transporting weapons to [Nagorno-Karabakh](/source/Nagorno-Karabakh), which Karapetyan denied.[12]

On June 25, 2025, both Karapetyan and Galstanyan were arrested for calling for a [coup d'état](/source/Coup_d'%C3%A9tat) and [plotting a coup d'état respectively](/source/2025_Armenian_coup_attempt_allegations).[6] The [National Security Service](/source/National_Security_Service_(Armenia)) (NSS) alleged that Galstanyan was later notified that he legally cannot hold public office in Armenia due to his dual [Canadian](/source/Passport_of_Canada) citizenship.[6] He then began to coordinate a group of supporters to protest against the government giving up territory to Azerbaijan in a [peace agreement](/source/Armenia%E2%80%93Azerbaijan_peace_agreement), and also called for toppling the government.[13] By the time of the arrests, this group had numbered ~1,000 individuals, mainly former soldiers and police officers.[6] These followers were divided into strike groups assigned to a specific task, such as blocking roads or shutting down the internet.[6] For his role, Karapetyan was arrested for publicly voicing support of the alleged coup shortly after Galstanyan was arrested.[6]

## History

On 8 December 2025, this party was founded by Russian-Armenian businessman [Samvel Karapetyan](/source/Samvel_Karapetyan_(businessman)) under the name "Pro-Armenian" party, which later changed to "Strong Armenia" on 16 January 2026.[3]

On 19 January 2026, spokesperson Marianna Ghahramanyan announced that the party's organization is in its final stages, and that the party is expected to develop its agenda and vision in the near future.[3]

On 11 February 2026, the party held a congress to elect a new president and council, with [Samvel Karapetyan](/source/Samvel_Karapetyan_(businessman)) unanimously elected as party chairman.[14] The following day, the party held a presentation at the [Karen Demirchyan Complex](/source/Karen_Demirchyan_Complex).[15] During the presentation, the party announced its candidates for the [2026 parliamentary election](/source/2026_Armenian_parliamentary_election), where Karapetyan was announced as the party's candidate for [prime minister](/source/Prime_minister_of_Armenia), and that Narek Karapetyan will lead the [party list](/source/Party_list).[4]

On 14 April 2026, the Anti-Corruption Committee arrested two party members and accused them of pre-election bribery by paying Armenian residents "under the guise of charity".[16] Then on 16 April, another 14 party members were also arrested on similar charges.[17]

## Platform

The party's platform will focus on the protecting businesses from being targeted for their political views, most notably against party leader [Samvel Karapetyan](/source/Samvel_Karapetyan_(businessman)). The party is critical of the "poor leadership" that led to the defeat of [Artsakh](/source/Republic_of_Artsakh) in the [2020 Karabakh war](/source/Second_Nagorno-Karabakh_War), and supports more investment in national defense.[2]

The party calls for ensuring the protection of Armenia's independence without submitting to economic and cultural coercion from [Turkey](/source/Turkey).[18] The party also supports [closer ties with Russia](/source/Armenia%E2%80%93Russia_relations) to avoid turning Armenia into "an arena of geopolitical confrontation".[19]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Shakarian, Pietro A. (28 May 2026). ["Rubio in Yerevan: A Neocon in the Land of Nairi"](https://www.thenation.com/article/world/marco-rubio-armenia-election-pashinyan-iran-caucasus-geopolitics-artsakh/). *[The Nation](/source/The_Nation)*. Retrieved 28 May 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Artsakh_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Artsakh_2-1) ["Strong Armenia party unveils national security program"](https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2026/03/18/Strong-Armenia-party/3154471). Panorama. 18 March 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-0119AN_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-0119AN_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-0119AN_3-2) ["Սամվել Կարապետյանի քաղաքական ուժը կկոչվի «Ուժեղ Հայաստան»"](https://news.am/arm/news/925974.html) [Samvel Karapetyan's political force will be called "Strong Armenia"]. Armenia News. 19 January 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Candidate_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Candidate_4-1) ["Businessman Samvel Karapetyan Named Prime Ministerial Candidate by "Strong Armenia" Party Ahead of June 7 Elections"](https://www.thearmenianreport.com/post/businessman-samvel-karapetyan-named-prime-ministerial-candidate-by-strong-armenia-party-ahead-of-j). The Armenian Report. 12 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Pashinyan: Leader of "Tavush for the Homeland" Is Catholicos of All Armenians and Beneficiary Is Robert Kocharyan"](https://www.thearmenianreport.com/post/pashinyan-leader-of-tavush-for-the-homeland-is-catholicos-of-all-armenians-and-beneficiary-is-rob). *The Armenian Report*. 7 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Al_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Al_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Al_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Al_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Al_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Al_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Al_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Al_6-7) ["Armenia arrests prominent archbishop over alleged coup plot"](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/25/armenia-arrests-prominent-archbishop-over-alleged-coup-plot). *[Al Jazeera](/source/Al_Jazeera)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250626023950/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/25/armenia-arrests-prominent-archbishop-over-alleged-coup-plot) from the original on 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-eclj_7-0)** van den Bossche, Thibault. ["Pashinyan vs. the Church: Armenia on the Brink of Fracture"](https://eclj.org/geopolitics/coe/pashinyan-vs-the-church-armenia-on-the-brink-of-fracture). *eclj.org*. Retrieved 16 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Barseghyan, Arshaluys (24 June 2025). ["Armenian PM Pashinyan offers to show his penis to head of Church"](https://oc-media.org/pashinyan-offers-to-show-his-penis-to-head-of-armenian-church/). *[OC Media](/source/OC_Media)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250630072821/https://oc-media.org/pashinyan-offers-to-show-his-penis-to-head-of-armenian-church/) from the original on 30 June 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [https://iravaban.net/482882.html](https://iravaban.net/482882.html) "Tavush for the Motherland" movement, about gathering with a new concept

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sheena McKenzie, Nicole Gaouette and Donna Borak (30 January 2018). ["Full list of Russian oligarchs released by US"](https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/30/politics/full-us-list-of-russian-oligarchs-with-putin-ties-intl/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 5 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Samvel Karapetyan and Danil Khachaturov in US black books"](http://arka.am/en/news/politics/samvel_karapetyan_and_danil_khachaturov_in_us_black_books/). *arka.am*. Retrieved 5 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Tashir group of companies says Azerbaijani accusations against Samvel Karapetyan are outrageous"](http://arka.am/en/news/politics/tashir_group_of_companies_says_azerbaijani_accusations_against_samvel_karapetyan_are_outrageous/). *arka.am*. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [""Tavush for the Homeland" movement calls for an end to the unilateral surrender of Armenian territories to Azerbaijan"](https://armenianweekly.com/2024/05/08/tavush-for-the-homeland-movement-calls-for-an-end-to-the-unilateral-surrender-of-armenian-territories-to-azerbaijan/). 8 May 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250603143017/https://armenianweekly.com/2024/05/08/tavush-for-the-homeland-movement-calls-for-an-end-to-the-unilateral-surrender-of-armenian-territories-to-azerbaijan/) from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Samvel Karapetyan elected chairman of Strong Armenia party"](https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2026/02/11/Samvel-Karapetyan-party/3151782). Panorama. 11 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Երևանում ընթանում է Սամվել Կարապետյանի «Ուժեղ Հայաստան» կուսակցության պաշտոնական շնորհանդեսը"](https://news.am/arm/news/930140.html) [The official presentation of Samvel Karapetyan's "Strong Armenia" party is taking place in Yerevan]. Armenia News.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Armenia investigates two of Karapetyan's affiliates for pre-election bribery"](https://oc-media.org/armenia-investigates-two-of-karapetyans-affiliates-for-pre-election-bribery/). OC Media. 15 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Armenia detains pro-Russian opposition figures ahead of June elections"](https://www.reuters.com/world/armenia-detains-pro-russian-opposition-figures-ahead-june-elections-2026-04-16/). Reuters. 16 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Մենք առաջարկում ենք հինգ քայլ դեպի ուժեղ Հայաստան. «Մեր ձևով» շարժման համակարգող"](https://news.am/arm/news/926239.html) [We propose five steps towards a strong Armenia. Coordinator of the "Our Way" movement]. Armenia News. 20 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Moscow's Last Stand in the South Caucasus: Russia's Campaign to Derail Armenia's Elections and the U.S.-Brokered Peace"](https://yorktowninstitute.org/moscows-last-stand-in-the-south-caucasus-russias-campaign-to-derail-armenias-elections-and-the-u-s-brokered-peace/). Yorktown Institute. 13 April 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Strong Armenia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_Armenia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strong_Armenia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.