The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has issued a strong condemnation of the Civil Contract party's pre-election program, citing "objectionable provisions concerning the Armenian Apostolic Church." The Church views the party's proposals for church reform, charter revision, removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians, and new catholicos elections as a direct violation of constitutional order, the Church's autonomy, and international principles of religious freedom. The Mother See asserts that such matters are exclusively within the spiritual-canonical sphere and not subject to political manipulation by parties or state authorities, warning that this "unlawful course of action" is detrimental to the nation, national values, and spiritual security. The Civil Contract party's program, published on April 4, 2026, included these controversial church reform elements, following criminal proceedings initiated against Catholicos Karekin II on February 14, 2026, which included a travel ban.