Pashinyan's position weakened by low authority in Armenian army

Nikol Pashinyan's conflict with the leaders of the General Headquarters of the Armenia's Armed Forces has revealed the Prime Minister's low authority in the army and the generals' ties with the previous authorities, political analysts note. The statements voiced by Nikol Pashinyan could not but cause a negative reaction in Russia, but they were directed against the previous authorities of Armenia, observer Akop Badalyan suggests.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 23, Nikol Pashinyan called the Iskander missiles systems acquired from Russia combat-ineffective. Experts note this is an unfounded claim to Russia, and only a person with insufficient knowledge about modern arms could call the Iskander missile systems outdated weapons. The statements voiced by Nikol Pashinyan threaten the Armenian-Russian relations, suggests opposition leader Vazgen Manukyan.

The martial law has not yet been lifted in Armenia, but the Chief of the General Headquarters of the Armenia's Armed Forces, as in peacetime, remains the highest military official, expert Robert Nazaryan emphasizes. The expert notes he does not remember any cases when a chief of the General Headquarters was dismissed for criticizing the authorities.

Nikol Pashinyan's authority in the army has grown due to the increase in the salaries of the military personnel, but in general, it has never been high, believes Naira Airumyan, an editor of the "Lragir.am".

The generals are generally conservative and do not accept the new leaders of the country in a very positive way, says political analyst Akop Badalyan. According to him, any political statements, such as calls for the Prime Minister's resignation, are unacceptable for the General Headquarters of the Armenia's Armed Forces.