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'{{Infobox political party | name = United Platform of Democratic Forces | logo = | colorcode = | leader = | foundation = {{Start date|2024|5|14|df=y}} | ideology = [[Liberalism]]<br />[[Pro-Europeanism]]<br />[[Pro-Western]]<br />[[Armenia–European Union relations|Accession of Armenia into EU]]<br />[[Armenia–NATO relations|Accession of Armenia into NATO]]<br />[[Armenia–CSTO relations|Armenia's withdrawal from CSTO]]<br />Armenia's withdrawal from [[Eurasian Economic Union]]<br />[[Anti-Russian sentiment]] | position = [[Centrism|Centre]] | headquarters = [[Yerevan]], Armenia | website = | affiliation1 = [[Christian-Democratic Rebirth Party]]<br />[[European Party of Armenia]]<br />[[For The Republic Party]]<br />[[Hanrapetutyun Party]] | affiliation1_title = Member parties | country = Armenia | native_name = {{nowrap|Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի միացյալ հարթակ}} | colours = | seats1 = | seats1_title = [[National Assembly of Armenia|National Assembly]] | national = | slogan = | flag = }} The '''United Platform of Democratic Forces''' ({{lang-hy|Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի միացյալ հարթակ|translit=Zhoghovrdavarakan uzheri miats’yal hart’ak}}) is a [[political alliance]] of four [[extra-parliamentary opposition|extra-parliamentary]] political parties in [[Armenia]]. It was established on 14 May 2024 and is headquartered in [[Yerevan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aravot.am/2024/05/14/1419162/|title=Ընդդիմադիր չորս քաղաքական ուժերը ձեւավորեցին Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի միասնական հարթակ|website=www.aravot.am}}</ref> ==History== The leaders of the four political parties held a founding meeting in Yerevan on 14 May 2024 and it was decided to create a platform for democratic forces within the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.am/arm/news/823263.html|title=Չորս քաղաքական ուժերը ձեւավորեցին Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի միասնական հարթակ. Նրանք հայտարարություն են տարածել|date=June 26, 2024|website=news.am}}</ref> Participants of the meeting called for the strengthening of Armenia's independence and sovereignty, the continued [[European integration]] of the country, and for the [[government of Armenia]] to submit an [[Enlargement of the European Union#Potential enlargement agenda|EU candidacy application]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://hetq.am/hy/article/166533|title=Չորս քաղաքական ուժերը ձեւավորել են Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի միասնական հարթակ|date=May 14, 2024|website=Hetq.am}}</ref> The alliance announced it will support Prime Minister [[Nikol Pashinyan]] to ensure Armenia joins the EU and that these forces would criticize all actions that would hinder Armenia's bid to join the EU.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=84568&lang=3|title=Arminfo: Country's democratic forces will support authorities in matter of Armenia's European orientation in every possible way - Aram Sargsyan|website=arminfo.info}}</ref> The alliance has also stated it is open to accepting other members. It was established during the [[2024 Armenian protests]], with the alliance opposing any unconstitutional attempts and dissent aimed at undermining the internal stability of Armenia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://massispost.com/am/2024/05/15/%d5%a8%d5%b6%d5%a4%d5%a4%d5%ab%d5%b4%d5%a1%d5%a4%d5%ab%d6%80-%d5%b9%d5%b8%d6%80%d5%bd-%d6%84%d5%a1%d5%b2%d5%a1%d6%84%d5%a1%d5%af%d5%a1%d5%b6-%d5%b8%d6%82%d5%aa%d5%a5%d6%80%d5%a8-%d5%b1%d5%a5%d6%82/|title=Ընդդիմադիր Չորս Քաղաքական Ուժերը Ձեւաւորեցին Ժողովրդավարական Ուժերու Միասնական Հարթակ – Armenian News By MassisPost|date=May 15, 2024}}</ref> ===European Union candidacy referendum=== [[File:United_Platform_of_Democratic_Forces_EuroVote_logo.jpg|thumb|right|"EuroVote" (Եվրաքվե) emblem]] On 21 June 2024, the alliance organized and participated in a hearing in the [[National Assembly of Armenia|National Assembly]] regarding holding a [[referendum]] on the submission of Armenia's EU candidacy application.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://factor.am/785753.html|title=Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի հարթակը կոչ է անում կազմակերպել հանրաքվե ԵՄ անդամակցության հարցով․ ՏԵՍԱՆՅՈՒԹ|first=Peyotto|last=Technologies|website=factor.am}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asbarez.com/armenian-parliament-to-hold-hearings-on-referendum-for-eu-membership/|title=Armenian Parliament to Hold Hearings on Referendum for EU Membership – Asbarez.com}}</ref> The alliance, as well as, several dozen organizations and [[NGO]]'s signed a document calling on Armenian authorities to hold a national referendum within the next four months.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://mitk.am/2024/06/20/%D5%AA%D5%B8%D5%B2%D5%B8%D5%BE%D6%80%D5%A4%D5%A1%D5%BE%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6-%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%AA%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%AB-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A9%D5%A1%D5%AF%D5%AB-%D5%B0%D5%A1%D5%B4%D5%A1/|title=Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի հարթակի համաժողովի ԿՈՉԸ Հայաստանի Հանրապետության իշխանություններին՝ կազմակերպելու Եվրոպական Միությանը Հայաստանի անդամակցության հարցով հանրաքվե|date=June 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://radar.am/en/news/politics-2636218125/|title=To organize a referendum in Armenia on joining the EU. statement|website=Radar.am}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=84364&lang=3|title=Arminfo: United platform of democratic forces of Armenia calls on Pashinyan to organize referendum on Armenia's EU membership|website=arminfo.info}}</ref> Representatives of the [[Helsinki Citizens' Assembly–Vanadzor]], the [[Conservative Party (Armenia)|Conservative Party]], [[Young European Ambassadors – Armenia|Young European Ambassadors]], the [[Ramgavar|Armenian Democratic Liberal Party]], the Armenian National Platform of the [[Eastern Partnership]] Civil Society Forum, among others signed the document.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.aravot.am/2024/06/20/349578/|title=Petition of the Forum of the Democratic Forces' Platform to the authorities of the Republic of Armenia to organize Referendum on Armenia's membership in the European Union|website=en.aravot.am}}</ref> During the hearing, [[Arman Babajanyan]], Chairman of the [[For The Republic Party]] placed the [[flag of Europe]] over the podium in the National Assembly and stated "Conducting this referendum will help deepen relations not only with the EU, but also with the United States." While [[Tigran Khzmalyan]], Chairman of the [[European Party of Armenia]] stated "Our flag is incomplete without the flag of the European Union. Armenia is Europe." Khzmalyan also proposed to call the referendum "EuroVote" (Եվրաքվե). [[Aram Sargsyan|Aram Z. Sargsyan]], Chairman of the [[Hanrapetutyun Party]], stated "In the EU, Armenia's perception and assistance will change. I have no doubt that the Armenian people will receive very generous compensation in terms of arms, security, as well as economic development and investments."<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2024 |title=Armenia discusses plans for holding a referendum on EU accession |url=https://jam-news.net/referendum-on-armenias-eu-accession/ |website=JAM news}}</ref> Following the 21 June hearing, it was reported that many members of parliament from the ruling [[Civil Contract (Armenia)|Civil Contract]] party agreed with the United Platform of Democratic Forces regarding holding a referendum, with many Civil Contract members supporting the submission of Armenia's EU candidacy application.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aysor.am/am/news/2024/06/21/%D6%84%D5%BA/2294393|title=«Ժողովուրդ». ՔՊ-ի ներսում ԵՄ անդամակցության հարցով տարաձայնություններ կան - Այսօր` թարմ լուրեր Հայաստանից|first=Helix Consulting|last=LLC|website=www.aysor.am}}</ref> Arman Yeghoyan, Chairman of the [[Standing Committee on European Integration (Armenia)|Standing Committee on European Integration]], stated "The ruling majority of Armenia is seriously deliberating whether to submit an application for EU membership, and the government will make a formal announcement at an appropriate time upon reaching a decision."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armenianweekly.com/2024/06/25/armenian-prime-minister-criticizes-opposition-as-national-debates-intensify/|title=Armenian Prime Minister criticizes opposition as national debates intensify|first=Hoory|last=Minoyan|date=June 25, 2024|website=The Armenian Weekly}}</ref> On 27 June 2024, the president of the National Assembly of Armenia, [[Alen Simonyan]] confirmed that Armenia's leadership wants the country to join the EU and that it will hold a referendum in the near future. Simonyan stated "Our society has made a decision to be part of the European Union" and "I think that sometime in the near future we will have this referendum and I am sure that our people will say yes".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33012322.html|title=Armenian Speaker Sees Referendum On EU Membership|first=«Ազատություն»|last=Ռ/Կ|date=June 27, 2024|via=www.azatutyun.am}}</ref> ==Ideology== The alliance supports Armenia's integration into [[Western world|Euro-Atlantic]] structures, including pursuing full membership in the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]]. The alliance supports fighting any threats from [[Russia]] which threaten the autonomy of Armenia and calls for the country to withdraw from all Russian-led organizations including the [[CSTO]] and the [[Eurasian Economic Union]]. The alliance also believes in tackling [[corruption in Armenia]], protecting [[Human rights in Armenia|human rights]] and democracy, as well as, finalizing a peace treaty with [[Azerbaijan]] and demarcating the [[Armenia–Azerbaijan border]].<ref name="auto1"/> The alliance believes that European integration would provide a higher level of security and prosperity for the Armenian people and that alignment to European standards would directly benefit good governance, taxation policies, strengthen the [[Economy of Armenia|economy]], and protect women's and minority rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aravot.am/2024/06/20/1428022/|title=Ժողովրդավարական ուժերի հարթակի համաժողովի կոչը ՀՀ իշխանություններին՝ կազմակերպելու ԵՄ-ին Հայաստանի անդամակցության հարցով հանրաքվե|website=www.aravot.am}}</ref> ==Leadership== Key members of the alliance include: * [[Aram Sargsyan|Aram Z. Sargsyan]] - Chairman of the [[Hanrapetutyun Party]] * [[Tigran Khzmalyan]] - Chairman of the [[European Party of Armenia]] * [[Arman Babajanyan]] - Chairman of the [[For The Republic Party]] * [[:hy:Լևոն Շիրինյան|Levon Shirinyan]] - Chairman of the [[Christian-Democratic Rebirth Party]] ==See also== {{Portal|Politics|Society}} * [[Armenia–European Union relations]] * [[Armenia–NATO relations]] * [[Armenia–Russia relations]] * [[Programs of political parties in Armenia]] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Armenian political parties}} [[Category:Political party alliances in Armenia]] [[Category:2020s establishments in Armenia]] [[Category:Pro-European political parties in Armenia]] [[Category:Armenia–European Union relations]] [[Category:Anti-Russian sentiment]]'