Armenia's newly formed Strong Armenia (Uzhegh Hayastan) party today elected Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan as its chairman.

Karapetyan has been detained since June 2025 on charges of calling for a coup after criticizing the Armenian government's actions against the Armenian Apostolic Church. He subsequently launched Strong Armenia, proposing a return to closer cooperation with Russia.

Due to dual citizenship restrictions preventing him from being prime minister, his nephew, Narek Karapetyan, is reportedly designated as the party's candidate for the post.

The party will officially announce its candidate for prime minister tomorrow.

Strong Armenia grew out of the In Our Own Way (or Our Way) movement, which was formed by supporters of Karapetyan following his arrest.

Armenia will hold a parliamentary election this June that will decide the country’s next prime minister.