Speaking on September 23 at a panel discussion organized as part of the “Armenian Forum for Democracy,” Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that, in terms of democracy, people in Armenia live according to the Stalin-Brezhnev model.
“Who is the leader, protector, and bearer of democratic values in Armenia? Currently, an exceptional situation has arisen. The bearer of these values is the current government,” Pashinyan asserted. In his view, the current leaders of democracy in Armenia are the government and civil society.
The Prime Minister noted that, given political, ideological, and conceptual changes, as well as the way issues are raised, a broader space for democracy has recently begun to emerge in the country. “We are opening this space. We want all issues to be discussed.” Questions must be raised… We all live by the patriotism of the Stalinist, Khrushchevite, and Brezhnevite models, by the Stalinist worldview,” the Prime Minister emphasized.
Pashinyan believes that democracy in Armenia cannot be perfect. “Ultimately, we think with the same theses that Stalin formulated. We think with the same expressions and views that he instilled. Today, there is no defense of democracy,” the Armenian Prime Minister concluded.