The European Union faces legal action over its support for Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, with Amsterdam & Partners LLP arguing that Brussels has helped legitimise a government undermining democratic institutions and fundamental rights. The firm, serving as counsel to opposition leader Samvel Karapetyan, alleges that the EU provided unconditional political support to Mr. Pashinyan despite a sustained campaign against political opponents, religious institutions, and independent voices.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the firm states that hundreds of politically motivated arrests have been carried out under the current government. It asserts that the EU has continued to support Pashinyan despite being aware of growing concerns over the treatment of opposition figures, clergy, and civil society critics. The letter also claims the EU turned a blind eye to the government’s campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the country’s most important national institutions, while presenting Armenia as a democratic success story.

Constitutional Challenge and Legal Remedies

Brussels has failed to uphold its own legal obligations and democratic standards by endorsing an election that remains subject to serious constitutional challenges. The constitutional challenge forms part of the effort by the main opposition party, Strong Armenia, to exhaust every available domestic legal remedy. Aram Vardevanyan, who leads Mr. Karapetyan’s legal efforts in local courts, stressed that pursuing those proceedings should not be interpreted as confidence in the independence of the institutions responsible for deciding them.

"The Constitutional Court must be independent, fearless, and maintain political neutrality," Mr. Vardevanyan said. "The fundamental question is whether the Constitutional Court today meets those criteria." He added that while Strong Armenia is committed to pursuing the legal process in full, it remains deeply concerned that the institutions responsible for adjudicating the election challenge lack the independence required by Armenia’s Constitution.

Allegations of EU Interference

The letter alleges that EU officials engaged almost exclusively with the Armenian government while failing to maintain meaningful dialogue with opposition parties and other dissenting voices. This, the firm argues, resulted in selecting a preferred political outcome before the election had been scrutinised. Despite the EU’s intervention and irregularities on the part of the authorities, Mr. Pashinyan failed to secure the support of most voters. Even with extensive international backing, the government was unable to obtain even half of the vote, with most voters casting their ballots for the opposition.

Robert Amsterdam, Founder and Managing Partner of Amsterdam & Partners LLP, stated: "The European Union has not acted as a neutral observer. It has chosen to align itself with a government that has overseen widespread arrests, targeted its critics, attacked the Church and weakened democratic safeguards." He added that Brussels cannot claim to be a defender of democracy while ignoring these abuses and refusing to engage seriously with opposition voices. "In claiming to resist Russian interference, Ms. Von der Leyen has instead led a campaign of interference, hypocrisy and damage to the rule of law," Mr. Amsterdam concluded.

The European Commission affirmed that the European Union and its member states hold the sovereign right to regulate economic activities on their territory. This declaration comes in response to threats regarding digital taxes, emphasizing the bloc's commitment to maintaining control over its fiscal policies. The Commission stated that any taxes imposed are designed to be non-discriminatory, applying equally to all large companies regardless of their origin.

A spokesperson for the European Commission, cited by Reuters, highlighted the EU's stance on regulatory autonomy. The Commission clarified that its tax policies are structured to ensure fairness among large enterprises operating within the region. This approach aims to prevent any bias against companies based on their country of origin.

The European Commission further indicated its readiness to protect these rights. It stated that the EU would respond swiftly and decisively if faced with unjustified unilateral measures. This response underscores the bloc's determination to defend its regulatory framework against external pressures that seek to undermine its established economic governance.