"Hraparak": Arushanyan's "business" is metastasizing.

The *Hraparak* newspaper writes: "The 'Gortsarar' [Businessman] party, founded back in 2016 and primarily active in Gyumri, has stepped up its activities ahead of the 2026 local self-government elections. The party's chairman is businessman Gegham Baghdasaryan."

As previously reported, this party has formed a coalition with the Civil Contract (KP) party and established the "Solidarity" alliance to participate in the local self-government elections in Goris. The list is headed by the incumbent mayor of Goris, Arush Arushanyan—a former opposition figure.

A similar alliance has been formed in Gavar, where the incumbent mayor, Gurgen Martirosyan, is participating in the elections under the "Solidarity" alliance banner, alongside the "Gortsarar" (Businessman) party and Civil Contract.

Stepanavan Mayor Armen Grigoryan has also been nominated via the "Gortsarar" party; although he was previously affiliated with Civil Contract, he failed to meet the party's expectations during the parliamentary elections. Consequently, the authorities have nominated the administrative head of the Lori Berd community for the position in this municipality, while the incumbent mayor is running under the "Gortsarar" party. According to our information, Eduard Babayan—the incumbent mayor of Abovyan and a former associate of Gagik Tsarukyan—also intends to run on the "Gortsarar" (Businessman) party's list, as the Civil Contract party (QP) does not wish to nominate him. The election in Abovyan will take place on December 13.