On November 7, 2025, Armenia\u2019s third president, Serzh Sargsyan, gave an interview to Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan on an exclusive episode of the \u201cImnemnimi\u201d podcast, broadcast on the Antifake YouTube channel.<\/p>\n
As expected, the main goal of the interview was to deny the accusations that Sargsyan had deliberately paved the way for Nikol Pashinyan\u2019s rise to power, preparing him for that role after the events of March 1, 2008.<\/p>\n
What made the situation especially telling was that the hosts, Vazgen Saghatelyan and Narek Samsonyan, showed no intention of uncovering the true circumstances of the 2018 coup d\u2019\u00e9tat or challenging their guest with tough questions. On the contrary, their bias was unmistakable - they did everything possible to help Sargsyan portray all accusations against him as mere conspiracy theories, while mocking and dismissing anyone who believed them as victims of social media manipulation.<\/p>\n
The interview was so saturated with half-truths and outright lies that, frankly, it inspired no desire to respond. Yet in this case, remaining silent would not only be impossible - it would be irresponsible, even criminal. Sargsyan\u2019s statements were clearly aimed at evading accountability for the disastrous consequences of the 2015 constitutional reform he initiated and the subsequent transfer of power to Nikol Pashinyan in 2018.<\/p>\n
It is widely believed that the \u201cVelvet Revolution\u201d of 2018 was sparked when Serzh Sargsyan broke his promise not to seek the presidency again or assume the post of prime minister. However, as it turns out, Sargsyan\u2019s understanding of that promise was rather peculiar. By saying he would \u201cnot seek\u201d the position, he apparently did not mean he would \u201cnot be\u201d it. In his own words from the interview:<\/p>\n
\u201cI said I would not seek, but I did not say I would not be,\u201d the third<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Public Tribunal declares, with full responsibility, that Serzh Sargsyan is lying. He made the above promise on April 9, 2014, during a meeting with members of the Expert Committee on Constitutional Reform, responding to widespread public concern that by initiating the reform, he sought to retain power as prime minister after the end of his second presidential term.<\/p>\n
\u201cI officially declare that I, Serzh Sargsyan, will never run for the post of President of Armenia. If, following the final discussions [on Constitutional Reform], a path unacceptable to me is chosen \u2014 I mean the model of parliamentary governance \u2014 I will not seek the post of Prime Minister. I am certain that a person should not aspire to lead the country more than twice,\u201d Sargsyan told the members of the Expert Committee on Constitutional Reform.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In reality, the phrase \u201cI will not seek\u201d was a logical continuation of his earlier words, \u201cwill never run for the post of President of the Republic of Armenia,\u201d and clearly implied that Serzh Sargsyan would never again govern Armenia.\nHe made this statement immediately after saying: \u201cIf, following the final discussions, a path unacceptable to me is chosen \u2014 I mean the model of parliamentary governance.\u201d\nThis means that Serzh Sargsyan not only urged the Armenian public to vote in favor of the constitutional reform during the referendum, but also explicitly promised that he would not run for either president or prime minister of the country.<\/p>\n
In addition, in 2014, Serzh Sargsyan lied, claiming that the parliamentary model of governance did not meet his expectations. In the interview with the Imnemini podcast, he expressed an entirely different view, emphasizing the flaws and inherent unfairness of the presidential system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is another reason for the transition [from a presidential to a parliamentary system]. I believe the presidential model is inherently unfair. Perhaps others do not see it as such, but under a presidential system, the winner takes everything while the loser gets nothing. One candidate may receive 50.5% of the vote, the other 49.5%, yet the one with 50.5% gains full power,\u201d Sargsyan stated.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n