Eloquent emptiness of Hovhannavank this Sunday reveals real sociology  of 2026 elections - expert 

ArmInfo.  Peace with Azerbaijan has nothing to do with the elections. It's a cheap propaganda ploy. This must be conveyed to the people, to the entire  electorate.  Alternative Projects Group member Vahe Hovhannisyan  writes about this in his article.

The expert asks how to prevent RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan from  rigging the 2026 elections, who will, of course, link peace to war.  One way is to formulate his own electoral content.

"If there is a change of power, the likelihood of war is zero. Anyone  emerging from the opposition will engage in very calm negotiations on  all issues, both the 'Trump route' and all other problems. They will  try to find the best possible solutions. No one is foolish enough to  go to war. Instead, there is a high probability that with new forces  and new formulations, with broader social consolidation, it will be  possible to negotiate on more favorable terms for us. However, the  anti-government camp has so far failed to speak about all this with  the right emphasis and inspire public confidence. The reality is that  today we have neither peace nor war, and the most important content  of the 2026 elections is the continued governance of a non-military  state. If a new, strong government is formed, we will pursue a  peaceful path to protecting our identity and our interests, seeking a  balance of coexistence in the region, which implies both the lifting  of the blockade and contacts between people, and the gradual  resolution of painful issues," the political scientist noted.

He added that the 2026 elections are about every citizen of the  country. "Do we want to live in a humane atmosphere or in brutal  conditions of wiretapping, division, slander, insults, incessant  criminal cases, and arrests? Do we want to keep the country in this  agonizing state, or will we create a stable state and establish a  life planning horizon, at least for a few years?

Do we want the state to remain a toy in the hands of one man, or do  we want the state to be governed by normally functioning state  institutions, a system of checks and balances? Do we want the church  to be a center of inner peace and spiritual joy, or the target of  dirty attacks and smear campaigns? Do we want a healthy environment  for peaceful work, professional growth, active business, and a  prosperous life, or will we have a life reminiscent of an endless  episode of "O2"? For seven years, we have been living in conditions  of chaos, aggression, lies, and deceit, constantly emanating from the  country's headquarters. Do we want to put an end to this atmosphere  and ensure a calm working environment in "What about the country and  all its offices? It's time for us to decide that we are changing the  atmosphere and life in Armenia. The 2026 elections are about this.  Peace has nothing to do with elections. It's a cheap propaganda  stunt. This must be conveyed to the people, to the entire electorate.  If there is understanding and agreement on these two points, then  this will guarantee real, very broad social consolidation, regardless  of party lists or other formalities," Vahe Hovhannisyan emphasized.

He also noted that yesterday's final pre-election "poll" was a  "liturgy" in Hovhannavank, which was almost completely deserted. If  administrative resources and coercion are removed, the current  government's influence will be practically negligible. "The eloquent  emptiness of Hovhannavank this Sunday demonstrates the true sociology  of the 2026 elections," the expert concluded.