President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a decree on 2 August reappointing Nikol Pashinyan as prime minister of Armenia, after the government formally resigned earlier the same day. The resignation was required by Article 158 of the constitution, which stipulates that the cabinet steps down on the first day of a newly elected National Assembly. Pashinyan said the outgoing ministers would continue in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed.

The ruling Civil Contract party, which holds 64 of 105 parliamentary seats, nominated Pashinyan for the post. Under Article 149 of the constitution, the president must immediately appoint the candidate proposed by the parliamentary majority. Opposition blocs Strong Armenia (29 seats) and the Armenia alliance (12 seats) refused to recognise the results of the 7 June elections and appealed to the Constitutional Court, citing violations and the use of administrative resources. A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the elections were marked by “gross violations” and pressure on the opposition.

Civil Contract’s majority allows it to form a government alone, but it does not reach the constitutional threshold of two-thirds, meaning it cannot amend the constitution without support from other factions. The new government must be formed within 15 days of the prime minister’s appointment: Pashinyan will propose candidates for deputy prime ministers and ministers within five days, and the president will have three days to appoint them or refer the matter to the Constitutional Court.

The first session of the ninth convocation on 2 August was marked by the absence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, who was not invited to address parliament. Opposition lawmakers protested the move, reflecting a deepening rift between the government and the church. The Catholicos has faced criminal proceedings in connection with a dispute over a former bishop, and Pashinyan has called for his abdication, accusing him of endangering national security.