When Did Serzh Sargsyan Backtrack on His Decisions?

The Fact-Checking Platform has published a report stating that the third president and leader of the Republican Party, Serzh Sargsyan, announced on October 30 at the party's headquarters that he has never changed any of his decisions.

Sargsyan participated in the graduation ceremony for the fourth cohort of the Andranik Margaryan Political School and later responded to a question from one of the graduates about whether he fears that the 'chain of arrests might reach him as well.' 'In my opinion, those who frequently change their decisions due to some influences are considered cowardly. I am not someone who changes decisions, and I have never changed my decision,' Sargsyan declared.

The Fact-Checking Platform recalled instances when the third president did change his decisions.

Jump from the EU to the EEU

Armenia was negotiating with the European Union to sign Association and Free Trade Agreements. After nearly four years of negotiations, the documents were ready for initialling on November 29, 2013. However, on September 3, 2013, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Serzh Sargsyan signed a document on Armenia's membership in the EEU, stating, 'I have confirmed Armenia's intention to join the Customs Union and to be involved in the process of forming the Eurasian Economic Union.' Just months prior, on March 18, 2013, Sargsyan, addressing concerns that Russia might impose membership in the Customs Union on Armenia, declared, 'Do not believe those who say that the Russians are forcing us to become members of the Customs Union. This is not the case. It is not! How many times shall I repeat it for everyone to understand?'

Later, Sargsyan indirectly admitted that the decision to join the EEU was made overnight in Moscow. Consequently, as a result of Sargsyan's decision to change, Armenia lost the opportunity to sign the EU Association Agreement.

From President to Prime Minister

In 2013, Serzh Sargsyan announced the initiation of constitutional amendments. Critics argued that Sargsyan was changing the Constitution to transition the country to a parliamentary government so that he could maintain power after his second presidential term. On April 10, 2014, Sargsyan stated, 'I officially declare that I, Serzh Sargsyan, will never again run for the presidency of the Republic of Armenia. If a path that does not correspond to my wishes is taken as a result of final discussions, I mean the parliamentary governance model, then I will not aspire to the position of prime minister either. I am even confident that one person should not aspire to lead the country more than twice in their lifetime in Armenia.'

However, after the acceptance of constitutional amendments in 2015, Sargsyan did not rule out running for the position of prime minister in various interviews. Ultimately, in April 2018, when Sargsyan's second presidential term ended, the Republican Party announced that they had decided to nominate Sargsyan for the position of prime minister. On April 14, amid nationwide protests against Sargsyan's premiership, during a meeting of the Republican Council in Tsaghkadzor, the party officially nominated Sargsyan. On April 17, Sargsyan was elected prime minister in the National Assembly, effectively backtracking on a decision made four years earlier.

7% Economic Growth

Back in March 2013, during a meeting with journalists, Sargsyan stated that 'the government of Armenia that fails to ensure 7% economic growth by the end of the year should resign.' Following this statement, neither Tigran Sargsyan's nor Hovik Abrahamyan's governments managed to achieve the economic growth projected by the president. The economic growth rates in the years following 2013 fluctuated only between 0.5% and 4%. Sargsyan also backtracked on this decision, as no government resigned due to the failure to ensure the expected economic growth.