Armenia’s third president and Republican Party leader Serzh Sargsyan suggested that, alongside political forces and civil society, the law enforcement system holds a decisive role in effecting a change of power in the country.

Speaking during an event with students at the “Armenian University,” Sargsyan posed a central question: “What is our goal now—to change the government or to work as an opposition to the ruler?” He implied that Armenia’s political institutions must act not out of dependency on funding but out of commitment to the national interest. However, he did not elaborate on how he sees law enforcement contributing to a transition of power.

The event, scheduled by prior agreement, brought together students, historians, and political analysts to discuss the foundational period of the early 1990s.

The discussion centered on pivotal topics such as military formation during the Karabakh war, nationwide mobilization, state-building, and the evolution of national policy in the post-Soviet era.

Last week, Sargsyan declared that the time had come to remove Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, claiming his party has a plan for doing so—though no specifics have yet been revealed.

Sargsyan also commented on his relationship with Robert Kocharyan, Armenia’s second president, stressing that Kocharyan is not his enemy. “My fight is not for authority in Armenia, but for a change of power,” he said.

While both former leaders oppose Pashinyan, they appear divided on tactics: Kocharyan favors removing Pashinyan through elections, whereas Sargsyan’s recent rhetoric hints at extra-parliamentary avenues, raising questions about the potential role of state institutions beyond the ballot box.

The remarks come amid growing political tension and opposition calls for impeachment, adding to speculation about the opposition’s next moves in a highly charged environment.