Six top government officials in Armenia resigned November 18, signaling an intention by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to double down on efforts to overhaul the country’s law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. Opposition leaders also suggest the shake-up is part of a plan to hold early elections.

Speaking from the Vatican, where he is currently on an official visit, the prime minister took to Facebook to address the growing controversy. He revealed that he had personally asked the officials to resign and insisted that the decision was based on systemic problems rather than individual performance. 

“The dismissals are not personal, but systemic,” Pashinyan wrote, thanking the officials for their understanding and cooperation. No names for potential replacements of the departing officials have yet been put forward.

The six resignations included Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan; Argishti Kyaramyan, chairman of the Investigative Committee; Sasun Khachatryan, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee; Supreme Judicial Council Chair Karen Andreasyan; Rustam Badasyan, head of the State Revenue Committee; and Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan. Their resignations, which were announced within hours of each other, shocked political observers in Yerevan, touching off feverish speculation about the cause and implications of the shake-up.

The turmoil started brewing at a November 15 cabinet meeting, when Pashinyan delivered an unusually scathing critique of Armenia’s judiciary and law enforcement agencies. His frustration was visible as he vented about the lack of progress on long-promised reforms. Referring to public discontent over delayed justice, ineffective anti-corruption measures and a surge in crime rates, he warned his team that his “cup of patience” had run out. Local media outlets started publishing unverified reports November 17 that resignations were pending. 

Pashinyan rose to power amid a popular uprising in 2018 that was fueled by widespread frustration with inefficient and corrupt government. Since then, he has often vowed to implement sweeping reforms to tackle graft. But his promises to date have yielded few visible results. In his remarks, the prime minister expressed exasperation at what he saw as the government’s inability to deliver on reforms. 

“We have invested heavily in these reforms, yet we are still faced with dissatisfaction and a lack of results,” he said.

The first tangible sign of the shake-up came early on November 18, when the Supreme Judicial Council chief, Karen Andreasyan, tendered his resignation, despite his name not being mentioned among those rumored to be in danger of losing their jobs. Andreasyan, who had served for two years, described his role as “toxic” in a public statement, but declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding his departure. 

“I am leaving without scandal or bitterness,” he wrote, defending his reform record and expressing hope for the future of the Armenian judiciary. Andreasyan previously had served as justice minister. 

Within hours, the wave of other resignations washed over Yerevan. The departing officials generally defended their records but did not shed much light on motivations or internal government discussions over the previous few days. For example, Argishti Kyaramyan, the chair of the Investigative Committee, who had held the post for three years, described his decision to leave as a personal one based on “internal reassessments.” 

Opposition politicians have accused the prime minister of using civil servants as scapegoats to deflect blame for the systemic failures of his government. They also suggested the mass resignations are part of a broader effort by Pashinyan to prepare the ground for early elections and heighten his chances of renewing his political mandate.

“Nikol Pashinyan is trying to save his damaged reputation by sacrificing his team,” Tigran Abrahamyan, an opposition leader, claimed, pointing to the possibility of early elections. Some critics say Pashinyan’s recent moves, including his decision to shave off his trademark beard, signal an intent to reset his image with voters.

Pashinyan insists, however, that “these decisions are about creating a stronger Armenia.”