Elections in Gyumri: A Crucial Vote Before 2026

Elections in Gyumri: A Crucial Vote Before 2026

By Elen Muradyan

Today, Armenia’s second largest city, Gyumri, is holding early municipal elections under a proportional representation system. Nine political forces are participating in the elections, including three alliances and six parties.

Political forces and their mayoral candidates:

• Communist Party of Armenia – The party’s list is led by former Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, featuring 33 candidates.
  
• My Powerful Community Party – The mayoral candidate is media producer Ruben Mkhitaryan, with a list of 40 candidates.
  
• Armenian Workers' Socialist Party – The mayoral candidate is singer Artyom Tumanyan, with 32 candidates on the list.
  
• Country for Living Party – The list is led by Karen Malkhasyan, featuring 30 candidates.
  
• Democratic Alternative Party – Businessman Artyom Kharaghazaryan is the mayoral candidate, with 23 candidates on the list.
  
• Civil Contract Party – Acting Mayor Sarik Minasyan heads the list with 99 candidates.
  
• Our City Alliance – The list is led by MP Martun Grigoryan, featuring 34 candidates.
  
• Mother Armenia Alliance – The mayoral candidate is businessman Karen Simonyan, with 56 candidates on the list.
  
• EuroAlliance – The list is led by Levon Barseghyan, head of the Gyumri-based Journalists’ Club “Asparez,” featuring 25 candidates.

Context

The election campaign started on March 15 and concluded on March 28. The need for early elections arose after the ruling Balasanyan Alliance, which governed Gyumri’s city council, stepped down in October 2023. This move followed criminal proceedings against former Mayor Samvel Balasanyan regarding the privatization of land near the Black Fortress (Sev Berd). A warrant was issued for Balasanyan’s arrest, and he is currently in the United States.

In preparation for the early elections, Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract Party conducted internal primaries in Gyumri. As a result, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan appointed Sarik Minasyan as interim head of the community.

Voter Turnout and National Significance:

A total of 111,236 eligible voters can participate in these elections. In the previous 2021 municipal elections, only 24% of the 109,453 registered voters cast their ballots, with 26,468 people participating.

As Armenia’s second-largest city, Gyumri’s municipal elections are the most significant vote before the 2026 parliamentary elections. Analysts suggest that the outcome of these elections could have a substantial impact on the country’s political landscape at the national level.