Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract Party has included the removal of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II in the country’s development programme.

Axar.az reports, citing Armenian media, that this is stated in the draft government programme for 2026–2031, adopted by the Armenian Cabinet on August 20.

“Religious life serves to ensure the happiness of the believing community. To address the issue of building a value-based religious life, reform of the Armenian Apostolic Church is essential,” the programme states.

In this regard, the party has included in the programme the removal of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church from office and the election of a locum tenens for the Catholicosate.

Armenian media report that the government intends to adopt a church charter that would ensure financial transparency and proper conduct by clergy.