Pashinyan Reappointed Armenian PM Hours After Government Resignation

Nikol Pashinyan was reappointed prime minister of Armenia on August 2, 2026, hours after submitting his government's formal resignation as the newly elected National Assembly convened for its first sitting. President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a decree appointing Pashinyan under Article 149 of the Armenian Constitution, following nomination by the ruling Civil Contract party, which secured a supermajority with 64 of 105 seats in the June 7 parliamentary elections.

The resignation and reappointment followed constitutional procedures mandated by Articles 158 and 149 of Armenia's Constitution. Article 158 requires the government to step down on the day the newly elected parliament holds its first session. Pashinyan signed the resignation statement on August 2 and submitted it to President Khachaturyan, stating: "In accordance with Article 158 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia, on the day of the first session of the newly elected National Assembly, the government presents its resignation to the President of the Republic."

In the June 7 parliamentary elections, Pashinyan's Civil Contract party won 49.75 percent of the vote, securing sufficient support to form a government unilaterally. The opposition Strong Armenia party, led by businessman Samvel Karapetyan, received 23.27 percent, while former President Robert Kocharyan's Armenia bloc garnered 9.92 percent.

Ministry officials continued performing their duties until the new cabinet was fully formed. The reappointment of Pashinyan followed the parliamentary majority's formal nomination of him as prime minister candidate on August 2. The process reflects Armenia's constitutional framework for government formation following elections, with no change in leadership despite the technical resignation.