Levon Kocharyan, a candidate of the Hayastan Alliance, stated that the existence of the current government is partly a consequence of mistakes made in the past, but said those mistakes should not influence citizens’ choices today.

He made the remarks during the alliance’s final campaign rally at Dinamo Stadium.

Kocharyan called on voters not to allow mistakes made 10 to 20 years ago to become a reason for supporting political forces that surrendered Artsakh, according to Sputnik Armenia.

“Today I want to address those compatriots who do not like us, do not accept us and do not intend to vote for us, as well as those who are disappointed in everything and everyone and do not plan to participate in the elections. Dear compatriot, I know that each of you has your own reason for not accepting us. In some cases, it may be ideological differences; in others, mistakes we made in the past; and in many cases, manipulations that have influenced your thinking for years.

We may have different visions for our country’s future, and that is normal. Alongside our effective work in the past, we also had shortcomings and mistakes, for which I deeply regret, because I believe today’s anti-national government is also a product of those mistakes,” Kocharyan said.

According to him, insufficient efforts were made in the past to combat falsehoods and misinformation, allowing certain narratives to become deeply rooted in public consciousness.

“Do not let your anger be used to destroy the country,” Kocharyan said, while promising to do everything possible to ensure citizens have no reason for similar disappointment in the future.

He also expressed confidence that citizens who continue to trust Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan would eventually reconsider their position, adding that the issue of accountability would, in his view, become part of the political agenda.

At the conclusion of his speech, Kocharyan addressed his father, Armenia’s second president, Robert Kocharyan.

“For many years, various accusations and assessments have been directed at you. But I have my own opinion. I want to say, Dad, I am proud of you,” Levon Kocharyan said.

Armenia’s next parliamentary elections will be held on June 7, 2026. Nineteen political forces initially applied to participate in the elections, including 17 parties and two alliances. Later, the Alliance Progressive Centrist Party submitted a withdrawal request, after which the Central Electoral Commission invalidated the registration of its electoral list. As a result, there will be no ballot paper numbered 13 in the upcoming elections.