The United Labour Party (ULP) (Armenian: Միավորված աշխատանքային կուսակցություն, romanized: Miavorvats Ashkhatankayin Kusaksutyun) is a social-democratic[3] political party in Armenia. It is led by Gurgen Arsenyan.
United Labour Party Միավորված աշխատանքային կուսակցություն | |
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| Abbreviation | ULP |
| Leader | Gurgen Arsenyan |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Yerevan |
| Membership | 17,000[1] |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre-left |
| National Assembly[2] | 1 / 107 |
| Website | |
| ulp.am | |
History
Following the Armenian parliamentary election on 25 May 2003, the party won 5.7% of the popular vote and 6 out of 131 seats in the National Assembly. In the 2007 Armenian parliamentary elections, the party failed to win any seats, with a popular vote of 4.39%.
The party officially endorsed Prosperous Armenia prior to the 2012 Armenian parliamentary election. Both parties held a joint conference prior to the election where Gurgen Arsenyan pledged his support. Arsenyan participated as a candidate under Prosperous Armenia's electoral list.[4] Following the announcement, Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan expressed his gratitude for trust and support of the United Labour Party.[4][5]
In 2015, party leaders met with the then President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan to discuss constitutional reforms.[6]
Party leader Gurgen Arsenyan endorsed the 2018 Armenian revolution and stated that, "the United Labor Party will unconditionally support the citizens of Armenia in exercising their right to form a new National Assembly."[7]
In January 2021, Arsenyan met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss various political issues.[8]
On 1 April 2021, the United Labour Party signed a joint declaration with four other political parties calling on the Government of Armenia to ensure free and fair upcoming elections, following the on-going political unrest in Armenia.[9]
The party confirmed that it would participate in the 2021 Armenian parliamentary elections with Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party. Gurgen Arsenyan was listed on Civil Contracts electoral list.[10] Following the election, Civil Contract won 53.9% of the popular vote and 71 seats in the National Assembly. Arsenyan won a single seat.
Ideology
The party advocates for the growth of a free-market economy, social development, protection of human rights, and the self-determination of nations. The party believes Armenia should deepen its European integration and raise its political and economic relations with the European Union, while also maintaining strong ties with Russia.[1]
