The Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has strengthened his political position after his Civil Contract Party secured a decisive victory in a national election widely seen as a test of the country’s foreign policy direction.
Official results showed Civil Contract winning 49.8 percent of the vote, ahead of the Strong Armenia Alliance with 23.2 percent and the Armenia Alliance with 9.9 percent.
The election, held on Sunday, was the first since Armenia’s military defeat to Azerbaijan in 2023 and was viewed as a referendum on Pashinyan’s efforts to move the country closer to Western partners while maintaining relations with Russia.
Declaring victory on Monday, Pashinyan said voters had chosen a future centred on peace, cooperation and regional development.
“The Armenian people voted for peace, regional prosperity and cooperation,” he said.
The result was welcomed by France and the European Union, both of which praised Armenia’s growing engagement with the West.
Despite a decline in his popularity in recent years, Pashinyan’s party secured a commanding lead in an election contested by 19 parties and alliances. Voter turnout stood at 59 percent, according to electoral authorities.
Several opposition groups, including the Strong Armenia Alliance and the Armenia Alliance, campaigned on platforms favouring closer ties with Russia.
Following the election, Pashinyan said Armenia would continue strengthening its relationship with Western countries while remaining a member of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.
The vote came amid increasing pressure from Moscow, which has warned Armenia of the economic consequences of pursuing deeper integration with the European Union.
In recent weeks, Russia imposed restrictions on imports of several Armenian products, including flowers, fruits, vegetables, mineral water and cognac.
Pashinyan has sought to steer Armenia toward Europe by advancing legislation linked to future EU membership and supporting a United States-backed peace process with Azerbaijan.
Although Armenia has expanded its engagement with Western nations, it remains far from obtaining European Union membership or candidate status.
Domestic criticism of Pashinyan continues to centre on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, with opponents accusing him of making too many concessions to Azerbaijan in pursuit of peace.
Public opinion remains divided over the proposed peace agreement, reflecting ongoing debate about Armenia’s future direction both at home and abroad.
Ojo Triumph
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