Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party has won a crucial election billed as being key in deciding whether the country continues to move closer to the West. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Pashinyan's centrist Civil Contract Party secured 49.8% of the vote, with the Strong Armenia Alliance coming in second with 23.2%. The Armenia Alliance was third with 9.9%.
Sunday's vote was the first general election since Armenia suffered a crushing military defeat by Azerbaijan in 2023. It was viewed as a test of the prime minister's push to deepen ties with the West while facing mounting economic pressure from Russia.
Pashinyan, who has been in power since 2018, declared victory on Monday after early results showed his party had secured more than 50% of the vote. "Armenian people voted for peace, regional prosperity and cooperation," he said.
The election drew significant international attention. France and the EU congratulated Pashinyan, praising Armenia's closer ties with the West. Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said "unprecedented pressure" had been put on opposition parties and alleged "interference" from the West.
Civil Contract's success came despite Pashinyan's domestic support falling from 54% in 2021 to around 30% today. A total of 19 parties and alliances took part but few earned enough votes for seats. Turnout was 59%.
The conservative Prosperous Armenia party came fourth with 4%. The Strong Armenia Alliance and Armenia Alliance are pro-Russian. Pashinyan said: "We will continue the course of rapprochement with the West, but we will also continue our participation in the Eurasian Economic Union."
In May, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Armenia to hold a referendum on joining the EU or remaining in the EAEU. Putin listed economic benefits Armenia would lose if it pursued closer ties with the West. Russia supplies gas at $177.50 per 1,000 cubic metres, while European prices exceed $600.
Two weeks before the election, Moscow banned exports of Armenian flowers, mineral water, brandy, fresh vegetables and fruit. Pashinyan's efforts to steer away from Russia include launching EU accession process and accelerating peace with Azerbaijan.
Pashinyan's loss of popularity is mainly due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. His critics have never forgiven him for concessions for peace. The peace deal is supported by 44% and opposed by 41%.
In Yerevan, the election results were not met with much excitement. Lala, 70, a gardener, said she voted for Pashinyan: "I am excited. He is taking us to peace, he raised pensions and we have free healthcare." Gohar, 40, was sceptical about Armenia's future in the EU: "I don't have any evidence that the European Union is waiting for Armenia."