Gyumri mayoral stalemate to end 

By Paul Vartan Sookiasian 

After nearly a week of uncertainty, the outcome of the Gyumri mayoral race is becoming clearer. On Thursday, Martun Grigoryan announced that his “Our City” alliance would support Vardan Ghukasyan of the so-called Communist party for mayor, despite reservations.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Grigoryan described the decision as a difficult one, saying it was made to prevent the ruling Civil Contract party from retaining the mayor’s office.

Acting mayor Sarik Minasyan of Civil Contract received the most votes in Sunday’s election, with 36.8%, but his bloc secured only 14 of the 17 city council seats required to elect a mayor. Ghukasyan’s bloc won 8 seats and subsequently received backing from two smaller parties, which together hold 5 seats. This left Grigoryan’s 6 seats as the kingmaker in forming a majority.

The election campaign in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, was likened to a circus, replete with derogatory comments, hateful rhetoric, and politics more concerned with clan affiliation than the issues. Ghukasyan previously served as mayor from 1999-2012, during which he gained a notorious reputation associated with the criminal subculture. 

For more: “Would These Girls Let a Man Avoid Sin?”: Rampant Hate Speech in Gyumri Elections

Grigoryan hesitancy at least in part stems from a long-running bloody feud between his relatives and the former mayor. He pointed out Ghukasyan is in a vulnerable position due to being under criminal investigation for alleged election interference. Grigoryan went on to blame the heads of the two smaller parties, Ruben Mkhitaryan and Karen Simonyan, for hastily throwing their support behind Ghukasyan instead of considering other possibilities.  

As a result, Grigoryan said “I am forced to make a decision that we were all against in principle,” while noting he was still open to dialogue with Mkhitaryan and Simonyan about alternative outcomes. 

Grigoryan apologized to his supporters, but said he was confident that he was subordinating his personal issues and approaches to the interests of his city and nation, and encouraged them that all decisions in Gyumri as a result would depend on the votes of the “Our City” bloc. 

The new Gyumri City Council has three weeks to elect a mayor or else a new election must be scheduled.