- The figure of Anna Hakobyan – Armenia’s gray cardinal – is increasingly being mentioned by politicians and media outlets as a potential candidate for the post of deputy prime minister. But is the country’s “first lady” ready to step out of the shadows?
- The “Hakobyan Plan”: Personnel Reshuffles and the Minister on Maternity Leave
- The Case of Arpine Sargsyan
- “My Step”: Charity or Political Lever?
- Public Smears and Political Retaliation
- The Karabakh Episode
- Media Power and Political Ambitions
- Support from the West
The figure of Anna Hakobyan – Armenia’s gray cardinal – is increasingly being mentioned by politicians and media outlets as a potential candidate for the post of deputy prime minister. But is the country’s “first lady” ready to step out of the shadows?
Very soon, on June 7, Armenia will hold parliamentary elections. Public attention is focused on the struggle for the prime minister’s office, as current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is rapidly losing the trust of both voters and his Western patrons. In a previous article, we discussed possible candidates to replace him. Today, however, we turn to a less public but equally fierce battle — the race for the position of deputy prime minister.
And one person who appears to have set her sights on that office is Armenia’s so-called “first lady,” Pashinyan’s loyal ally, Anna Hakobyan.
Hakobyan wields real influence over state personnel policy, controls one of Armenia’s largest media outlets, and unlike her civil husband, has not been publicly implicated in transferring national assets to foreign powers. At least not publicly. Yet she possesses considerable political ambitions and appears ready to pursue them by finally stepping out from behind the scenes.
Although she formally holds no government position, Hakobyan has long been viewed as an independent political actor and, according to many observers, the true “gray cardinal” of Armenian politics.
The “Hakobyan Plan”: Personnel Reshuffles and the Minister on Maternity Leave
Armenian media openly report that the country’s personnel policy over the last two years has not been shaped solely by the prime minister.
The publication Caliber.Az, citing sources within the ruling Civil Contract party, claims that party members believe recent government appointments were implemented according to Hakobyan’s plan.
“She has her own office and staff within the government, including a PR department. Besides receiving local and foreign guests and organizing events, she is also rumored to participate in decisions regarding state personnel policy despite holding no official position.”
The newspaper Voice of Armenia has echoed similar claims, stating that major appointments are coordinated directly with Hakobyan.
“The list of candidates for the new governing board of the Civil Contract party was personally drafted by Pashinyan and approved by his wife. Delegates merely need to vote and go home.”
Journalists compared party congresses to Soviet-era Communist Party gatherings, where decisions were predetermined before voting even began.
As a result, rumors of Hakobyan’s vast informal influence are increasingly viewed as more than just rumors. Her role appears evident in the remarkable rise and fall of numerous political figures.
The Case of Arpine Sargsyan
One of the most striking examples is the appointment of Arpine Sargsyan as Interior Minister in November 2024.
Many observers were surprised. The young politician lacked significant leadership experience and had little authority among Armenia’s security establishment. However, she reportedly enjoyed Hakobyan’s personal support.
Despite resistance from senior law enforcement officials, Sargsyan became Interior Minister.
The story took an unusual turn in spring 2025 when media reports revealed that Sargsyan was expecting her first child.
“Since Sargsyan will soon begin maternity leave, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will have to find a replacement,” one publication reported.
The government suddenly found itself searching for a new Interior Minister while the country faced mounting challenges.
“My Step”: Charity or Political Lever?
Hakobyan serves as executive director of the My Step Foundation, which played a significant role in promoting Pashinyan’s political movement during the 2018 protests that brought him to power.
Opposition politicians argue that the foundation remains one of Hakobyan’s most powerful instruments of political influence and pressure on local businesses.
Whenever allegations emerge, Hakobyan responds aggressively. After the political group “Political Observer” accused foundation-sponsored concerts in Gyumri and Yerevan of serving as campaign events for the ruling Civil Contract party, she publicly threatened legal action and instructed lawyers to examine possible criminal proceedings against critics.
Hakobyan’s carefully crafted image as a devoted mother, loyal wife, and passionate reformer has frequently collided with controversy.
Critics accuse her of nepotism, hypocrisy, defamation, and abuse of influence.
Some reports claim that more than 55% of the foundation’s income is spent on administrative costs rather than charitable purposes. Others allege that “voluntary” donations are extracted from Armenian entrepreneurs through pressure and intimidation.
Public Smears and Political Retaliation
When Boris Murazi, a representative of Armenia’s Yazidi community, publicly supported Catholicos Karekin II, Hakobyan allegedly responded by spreading rumors that he had provided sexual services to former President Serzh Sargsyan and several bishops.
Journalist Ruben Jambazyan commented:
“This is not trolling. This is a public defamatory statement from someone at the center of power who has access to major media resources.”
The Karabakh Episode
Perhaps the clearest example of Hakobyan’s influence occurred during the fighting in Karabakh in 2023.
She announced plans to form a detachment of thirteen women who would undergo military training and deploy to the front lines. The training never materialized, but Hakobyan nevertheless traveled to the conflict zone.
At one point she reportedly attempted to attend a meeting of military generals at a command center.
According to reports, the head of the Defense Ministry’s military inspection service, Movses Hakobyan, ordered her to leave, saying:
“There are no spectacular photos here. This is where decisions are made about who will die tomorrow.”
Several hours later, he was dismissed from his position.
Meanwhile, Hakobyan traveled to Los Angeles, where she continued posting emotional social media messages about fallen soldiers.
Media Power and Political Ambitions
Hakobyan officially serves as editor-in-chief of the newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak (“Armenian Times”), giving her substantial influence over Armenia’s media landscape.
Recently, she appeared to distance herself publicly from Pashinyan as his popularity declined, leading some observers to speculate that she is preparing an independent political future.
Whether this strategy will help her secure the deputy prime minister’s office remains to be seen.
What is clear is that she has worked extensively to place loyal allies in key positions throughout government while maintaining influence through media and political networks.
Support from the West
As Armenia increasingly signals a geopolitical shift toward the West, Hakobyan’s network of young, ambitious, pro-Western officials has become particularly valuable.
Arpine Sargsyan, for example, has actively promoted cooperation with Europol.
Hakobyan herself frequently promotes United Nations gender-related initiatives in public appearances, helping cultivate an image that many Western donors and institutions may find familiar and attractive.
Whether she remains a power behind the throne or formally enters government as deputy prime minister may become one of the most important questions in Armenian politics in the months ahead.
