Rubio Visit, New MPG and IRI Polls, Hidden Votes and Why Are You Alive? | Ep 550, May 24, 2026

Week in Review - May 24, 2025This Week in Review examines the tightening political climate in Armenia ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections. Asbed and Hovik discuss Marco Rubio's sudden Armenia visit, new polling from IRI, MPG, and CAEAC, and what the wide gaps in voter disclosure may reveal about hidden opposition support. The episode also covers TRIPP, "Western Azerbaijan" rhetoric, public trust in the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the growing use of arrests, threats, and state pressure against opposition figures. The discussion centers on Pashinyan's escalating campaign rhetoric, including his "Why are you alive?" outburst, and what it signals about the stakes of the coming election.Topics:Rubio's sudden Armenia visitPolls diverge before electionHidden vote raises questionsTRIPP remains deeply polarizing"Western Azerbaijan" pressure growsOpposition faces arrests, threats"Why are you alive?" campaign rhetoricHosts:Hovik ManucharyanAsbed BedrossianEpisode 550 | Recorded: May 25, 2026SHOW NOTES: https://podcasts.groong.org/550VIDEO: https://youtu.be/WVDpm63f6GA#ArmeniaElections #Armenia #NikolPashinyan #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #WesternAzerbaijan #ArmenianOppositionSubscribe and follow us everywhere you are: linktr.ee/groong