UNM's Sanikidze says Armenia's political landscape differs from Georgia due to presence of multiple oligarchs

Levan Sanikidze, deputy chair of Georgia's opposition United National Movement, on Monday said Armenia's political environment differs from Georgia's because power in Armenia is influenced by several oligarchs, while Georgia is dominated by a single influential figure.

Sanikidze argued that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's tenure could be divided into several stages, including efforts to consolidate power following the 2018 revolution and to reduce the influence of pro-Russian forces within the state.

"In my view, Pashinyan's rule can already be divided into three phases," Sanikidze said, referring to the period following the change of government in Armenia, the aftermath of the 2021 snap parliamentary elections and ongoing efforts to counter groups influenced by Russian interests.

Drawing a comparison with Georgia, Sanikidze said the two countries differ in the structure of economic and political influence.

"The difference between Georgia and Armenia is that Armenia has oligarchs — at least several of them — and there are conflicts of interest among them. In Georgia, there is only one, which makes the situation more difficult," he said.

Sanikidze cited the early years of the United National Movement's rule, when businessmen Badri Patarkatsishvili and Bidzina Ivanishvili were political rivals, arguing that the Georgian state operated more effectively during that period than after Ivanishvili became the dominant figure in the country's political landscape.

The opposition politician also commented on Georgia's relations with Russia, saying the country continues to face challenges in responding to pressure from Moscow.