Armenian PM Pashinyan dismisses senior aide Araik Harutyunyan over election‑team issues

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan removed Araik Harutyunyan, head of the prime minister’s staff, citing serious dissatisfaction with the work of the election campaign team and the quality of political information presented to him. Sources said Harutyunyan, who had been on a long vacation and is currently in the United States, is expected to return to parliament and take up a parliamentary mandate. The dismissal follows election results that delivered roughly 49 % of the vote, well below the anticipated 65 % support. Pashinyan’s inner circle is reportedly considering chief adviser Lilith Makunts as Harutyunyan’s replacement.