Speaking in parliament, Vahagn Aleksanyan, an MP from the ruling Civil Contract faction, responded to questions about Samvel Karapetyan, owner of Tashir Group, and his reported plans to form a political movement, 1lurer.am reports.
“Karapetyan is following the same path as other political losers,” Aleksanyan said, adding that such figures typically start by ordering Gallup polls that give them inflated numbers.
He named Robert Kocharyan as the “vanguard of political loserhood,” suggesting that with his bitter experience he could easily mentor Karapetyan and other Russian oligarchs.
Aleksanyan rejected claims that Karapetyan’s team might gain an edge in the 2026 elections, pointing to his brother’s past as head of Serzh Sargsyan’s presidential staff and a Republican MP.
“From what moment did he stop being responsible for the Republican Party’s actions? Under our government, cases have been launched against appointed officials. That’s because our team rejects such practices. Anyone involved must face justice. But the Republicans built their system on plunder, extortion, and illegal enrichment. That’s the difference,” Alexanyan said.
He underlined that serving as chief of staff was a high-ranking position, meaning Karapetyan’s brother played a key political role in the Republican system.
Asked to explain the difference between Serzh Sargsyan’s and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s chiefs of staff, Aleksanyan said it lay in the political system.
“In 2018, Armenia had a revolution of love and solidarity. It was declared there would be no vendettas, everything would proceed in an atmosphere of unity. That’s why the current government has shown a more positive attitude toward some figures with ties to the former system who publicly stated they want a better future for Armenia,” he explained.
When asked if the ruling party fears Karapetyan poses a threat, Aleksanyan replied: “No. This is just the parade of political losers.”
