In a barrage of daily social media posts that began over two weeks ago, Anna Hakobian has used words like “donkey,” “idiot” and “louse” to attack opposition activists, public figures and other citizens critical of her government-backed activities.
Hakobian was also quick to join Pashinian last week in lambasting senior clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church at odds with his government. The premier sparked an uproar from opposition leaders, prominent public figures and many ordinary citizens on Friday after using obscene language on Facebook against an unnamed bishop.
Critics have condemned Hakobian’s offensive rhetoric, saying that it has exposed her and her husband’s true selves. They say it also makes mockery of her “Getting Educated Is Fashionable” campaign launched a few months ago.
Hakobian has been visiting towns and villages across the country and holding indoor meetings with local residents as part of that campaign. Pashinian has spoken during some of those meetings attended by many local government officials and other public sector employees.
The couple made another joint public appearance in the northern city of Vanadzor at the weekend. An RFE/RL correspondent was among several hundred pre-registered participants of the indoor meeting that included many schoolteachers.
Hakobian took a few questions from the audience. In particular, the journalist wondered whether her and Pashinian’s offensive comments are compatible with the declared aim of her campaign.
“This is also a way of educating,” replied Pashinian’s wife. “We have descended to their level so that we can raise these people from there.”
Hakobian said that she had for years ignored slanderous claims about herself and her family and is now simply responding to insults with insults.
Like Pashinian, Hakobian is a former journalist and newspaper editor. The 47-year-old mother of four has kept a high profile throughout her husband’s seven-year rule, fueling opposition speculation that she exerts strong influence on his decisions and policies.
A charity founded and led by Hakobian has come under growing opposition and media scrutiny in the last few years. In one of her controversial posts, she angrily denied allegations of a lack of financial transparency in its activities.