Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan insists that a new constitution is essential for the "Real Armenia" ideology, while the opposition argues that the proposed changes stem from pressure exerted by Azerbaijan and Turkey.

During his speech on Wednesday evening, Pashinyan once again advocated for the adoption of the new constitution through a nationwide referendum. Presenting the "Real Armenia Ideology" project, he reiterated his stance that Armenians must accept modern Armenia within its current borders—an idea he first introduced in April 2024.

Pashinyan emphasized that Armenia’s vision for progress and development should be based on a "multi-layered Real Armenia ideology," which should be reflected across all aspects of state and public life.

The need for constitutional amendments was the first of 14 key points in the project presented by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday.

The project states: “The ideology of Real Armenia identifies the homeland with the internationally recognized state of the Republic of Armenia, and patriotism with the interests of that state, as well as the system of rights and obligations established within it.”

Pashinyan emphasized that for this “model of patriotism” to develop, the Armenian people must see themselves “not only as the founders of the state but also as the source of the legal order established within it.”

The project states that the adoption of the new constitution “through a nationwide referendum is essential for this system”, as the current constitution lacks serious legitimacy, at least in public perception. The text concludes: “The strategic goal of adopting the new constitution is to transition from a residual system of activity of a people without citizenship to a system of state-building activity.”

After reading the first point of the project, Pashinyan elaborated further on the necessity of constitutional changes. He stated that Armenian citizens must perceive themselves as the founders of the Republic of Armenia. That is, they must also see themselves as the creators of the legal relations established in Armenia, the constitutional order, and the system of rights and obligations.

Pashinyan claimed that, in many cases, the existing legal system is perceived as something imposed on citizens by external forces, which, in his view, is one of the most significant obstacles to the country's progress.

Pashinyan stated that he has been discussing the necessity of constitutional amendments since February 2020, but his critics argue that this proposal is linked to Azerbaijan's demands.

Amending Armenia’s Constitution is a key demand repeatedly put forward by the Azerbaijani government. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has declared that achieving a peace agreement would be “simply impossible” if Armenia’s Constitution “remains unchanged.” Aliyev claims that the current Armenian Constitution contains territorial claims against Azerbaijan and Turkey.

In February of last year, Pashinyan himself compared Armenia’s current Constitution to “a bull’s reaction to a red cloth”, emphasizing the need for its revision.

Narek Sukiasyan, a researcher at the Center for Cultural and Civilization Studies, wrote on Facebook that Pashinyan is proposing constitutional changes because he cannot escape Azerbaijan’s demands.

Seyran Ohanyan, the leader of the opposition Armenia Alliance faction, also claimed that Pashinyan’s initiative is being carried out “under the pressure of the Azerbaijan-Turkey tandem” and insisted that constitutional changes are unnecessary.

On Thursday, Justice Minister Srbuhi Qalyan stated that the referendum would most likely take place after the 2026 parliamentary elections but refused to comment on the content of the constitutional draft.

In August of last year, the Armenian government announced its plan to hold a referendum in 2027 to approve the new constitution, assigning Pashinyan the task of drafting it by the end of 2026.