Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan- potential presidential candidate for Artsakh

ArmInfo.  Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan is a potential candidate for the presidency of  Artsakh, as noted in a statement received by ArmInfo from Hayk  Ghazaryan, a member of the Council for the Protection of the Rights  of the People of Artsakh and a PhD in economics. 

"In recent months, the significance of the Artsakh Republic  presidential elections and potential candidates has been discussed in  various forums, both behind the scenes and in the press," the  economist noted. "To maintain the de jure statehood of Artsakh—which,  despite lacking international recognition, remains fully formed with  all its essential institutions—it is critical to preserve the  continuity of its primary governing bodies: the presidency and the  National Assembly. This is essential for the self-organization of the  Artsakh people, the preservation of cultural heritage, the  repatriation of the population, the protection of civil and social  rights, and the internationalization of the Artsakh issue," the  economist noted.

According to Ghazaryan, in an effort to address these challenges, the  candidacy of Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan was discussed in late July 2026.  The meeting, initiated by Artsakh National Assembly Deputy Speaker  Gagik Bagunts, involved leaders of parliamentary factions.

"It is both important and noteworthy that during the discussion,  participants expressed a positive opinion regarding the candidacy of  Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan," Ghazaryan added. "In my view, he possesses  the qualities and attributes necessary for this high and responsible  office: statesmanship and extensive knowledge in public  administration. He is a political scientist by profession, having  graduated with honors from the Master's program in International  Relations at Yerevan State University, and is currently in the  process of defending his doctoral dissertation."

It is also very important and significant that he hails from Artsakh  and descends from one of the renowned Armenian noble families, the  Hasan-Jalalyan noble dynasty, which has been responsible for the  centuries- old statehood of Artsakh and the Armenians of Artsakh in  both the secular and spiritual spheres," the expert added. Ghazaryan  added that the majority of Artsakh's political, public, and  intellectual circles view Hasan- Jalalyan's candidacy favorably, as  he possesses a sufficiently deep and detailed understanding of the  Artsakh issue, has conducted numerous scientific studies on the  topic, has published books and articles, and regularly appears in the  media.

"Regarding Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan's work experience, it should be  noted that he has experience in public administration. He served in  the Armenian Parliament for about ten years, during which time he was  awarded a letter of gratitude from the Chairman of the National  Assembly. He then worked in the Ethics Committee of High-Ranking  Officials of Armenia, and then in the Committee for the Prevention of  Corruption, and served in the Artsakh Defense Army. He is a  politically uninhibited and independent person, does not belong to  any political force and does not adhere to it. All of the above  characteristics, as well as the fact that Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan is a  representative of a dynasty that gave birth to about 40 Catholicoses  of Artsakh and about 20 princes from the 13th to the 19th centuries,  indicate that if elected, Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan, occupying the  responsible post of President of Artsakh, will be able to act  competently, balanced, effectively, freely, confidently, make bold  and impartial decisions and ensure the healing of the deep wounds  inflicted on the identity and national dignity of Armenians, and also  to adequately represent the interests and concerns of the Armenians  of Artsakh and their compatriots illegally held in Baku prisons both  in Armenia and abroad," the economist believes.  He is confident that  the election of a representative of the Hasan-Jalalyan dynasty as  President of the Republic of Artsakh will send a signal to the entire  world, and particularly to Azerbaijan, that Artsakh has been Armenian  for centuries, and that today, the responsibility for preserving the  statehood of Artsakh rests with the heir of one of the ancient  princely dynasties of Artsakh, by right of ownership. "We believe  that the National Assembly of Artsakh will not be mistaken; on the  contrary, it will take a very correct and useful step in this  critical, catastrophic situation if it elects Stepan Hasan-Jalalyan  to the responsible post of President of the Republic of Artsakh. As a  specialist in public administration and a member of the Council for  the Protection of the Rights of the People of Artsakh, a person close  to the problems of the people of Artsakh, I highly value Stepan  Hasan-Jalalyan's personal and managerial qualities, his experience,  extensive knowledge, courage, energy, and wisdom," Ghazaryan added.

It should be noted that on July 2, 2026, Ashot Danielyan, Chairman of  the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, who also served as  President, announced his decision to resign. Ashot Danielyan was  elected Speaker of Parliament on May 21, 2025 (replacing the acting  Speaker, Gagik Bagunts, as the previous Speaker of the National  Assembly, David Ishkhanyan, was arrested by Azerbaijan in the fall of  2023).