The presidency in Artsakh still functions and will continue, says Galstyan.

David Galstyan, head of the Justice faction in the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, rejected media reports that the presidential office in Artsakh has been dissolved de facto or de jure. He asserted that "the institution of the Artsakh presidency continues to operate" under the current Constitution, Aysor.am reports.

Galstyan explained that, according to the Constitution, once a president’s term ends, the duties are assumed by the speaker of parliament until a new president is elected.

“According to constitutional provisions, both the National Assembly and the presidency still exist,” he stated.

He emphasized that the delay in holding a presidential election is temporary.

“At the moment, the Artsakh National Assembly hasn’t elected a president, but that’s just a matter of time,” he added.

According to him, there is no consensus among MPs that elections will not take place.

“There can be no such consensus to skip elections. Elections will happen—it’s just a matter of time, considering the current situation. Many issues must be resolved through discussions. We’re in the middle of those discussions now,” said Galstyan.

Addressing claims that the election scheduled for May 30 failed due to alleged threats and blackmail from Armenian authorities, leaving the presidency vacant, Galstyan responded that he personally was not subjected to any pressure.

“I can only speak for myself—no such threats were directed at me. As for the Armenian authorities, they once said ‘Artsakh is Armenia, period,’ promised to ensure our compatriots' safety, and in 2021 included the de-occupation of Hadrut and Shushi in their campaign platform. Today, we see the opposite happening,” he stated.

Galstyan insisted that regardless of any threats from Yerevan or statements that Artsakh Armenians would be blamed for future losses, they would not follow the path laid out by Armenia’s leadership.

“What the Armenian authorities are proposing does not align with the interests of the Armenian nation. We will not follow the path they’re trying to impose,” he declared.

MP Tigran Abrahamyan, secretary of the "I Have Honor" faction, stated that a complex situation has developed around Artsakh’s state institutions. He claimed the authorities are obstructing constitutional processes in Artsakh through various channels and pressures, thereby meeting another Azerbaijani precondition—dismantling Artsakh's state institutions to settle the issue once and for all.