ARF leads opposition talks on shared political agenda

(Horizon Weekly) – Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a member of parliament and chairman of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Supreme Body, announced that a series of consultations with political forces took place last week, aimed at exploring prospects for cooperation around key political and national priorities.

In a Facebook post, Saghatelyan said the meetings were held with leaders of the Republican Party of Armenia, the Freedom Party and the Homeland Party, as well as with civic figures, human rights advocates and lawyers. According to him, the discussions focused on identifying shared positions on fundamental issues and assessing the possibility of coordinated action.

“There is a shared understanding on fundamental issues. Discussions with political and civil society actors will continue,” Saghatelyan wrote.

He recalled that during parliamentary hearings, political parties were invited to initiate broader discussions on a number of core concerns. These included countering repression, political persecution and restrictions on freedoms through legal means, defending the Armenian Apostolic Church and national values, protecting the rights of political prisoners under the principle that any political prisoner is a concern for all, and ensuring the legality and proper oversight of electoral processes.

Saghatelyan also stressed the importance of avoiding mutual political smear campaigns and rejecting any form of cooperation with the current authorities, including cooperation after elections.

The consultations come as Armenia prepares for its next parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to take place in June 2026.