A group of politicians and political activists in Armenia have launched an initiative to hold a referendum on joining the European Union.
It’s natural for a country or its citizens to aspire to join the EU, given that membership symbolizes a commitment to European values—human dignity, human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, tolerance, justice, and peace.
Beyond values, EU membership offers significant economic and institutional benefits. For countries seeking membership, it promises improved public administration through heightened transparency, accountability, and efficiency. In short, EU accession leads to a higher standard of living. It’s widely acknowledged that societies prosper more in environments where such freedoms and standards prevail.
However, the path to EU membership is long and often grueling, taking years, if not decades. Prospective member states must undergo profound institutional reforms to align with EU criteria. Moreover, while the EU is a union of varying levels of economic development, its expansion, particularly along its borders, has also been motivated by political considerations.
Crucially, EU accession is not unilateral. While Armenia might express a strong desire to join, the EU must also be willing to open its doors. At present, despite Armenia’s growing ties with the EU, formal discussions about membership are premature at best.
The political figures behind this referendum initiative are, in essence, laying the groundwork for the 2026 parliamentary elections. Following the calamities Armenia passed through in recent years, any movement that is pro-Western and anti-Russian will gain traction. These referendum organizers are positioning themselves to appeal to segments of the electorate that may not fully grasp the complexities of the EU accession process.
In reality, a referendum on EU membership is unlikely to take place. Nevertheless, these political forces will use the attempt as leverage, accusing the current government of clinging to a pro-Russian stance and rallying pro-western voters to their cause. If they secure some 10% of the vote, most likely they would form a post-election coalition with the ruling party—assuming no force majeures happen by then.
When discussing the European Union and its values, the issue isn’t about holding a referendum for internal political gain; it’s about principles like transparency and accountability. If you’re a pro-European politician running a media outlet, for instance, you need to disclose your media’s ethical standards and funding sources. And you should not pay your employees under the table.
Otherwise, it’s just a farce.
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