Armenians are heading to the polls in a parliamentary election that could determine the country's future direction, as voters choose between a pro-Western incumbent and a pro-Russian opposition. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party is favored to win, but faces challenges from three opposition candidates advocating stronger ties with Moscow.
Key Candidates and Stakes
Pashinyan's main rival is Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire under house arrest. A Karapetyan victory could steer Armenia toward Moscow, similar to Georgia's trajectory. Conversely, a strong Pashinyan mandate would allow him to pursue a peace deal with Azerbaijan and normalize relations with Turkey.
The election is closely watched by Russia, the EU, and the US, as the South Caucasus nation of 3 million people navigates geopolitical shifts.
Pashinyan's Platform
A former journalist who rose to power in the 2018 Velvet Revolution, Pashinyan campaigns on peace and European integration. He argues that ending conflicts with neighbors will unlock economic opportunities and reduce dependence on Russia. He has received endorsements from Donald Trump and signals hope for EU membership.
Sunday's vote is the first since Armenia's loss of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, a traumatic defeat that opposition blames on Pashinyan. However, Pashinyan frames it as a necessary step toward a secure future.
Russian Pressure and Economic Factors
Russia has attempted to influence the election through disinformation and trade restrictions, but Armenia's economy remains strong due to an influx of Russian businesses after the Ukraine invasion. Pashinyan has invested in regional development, where his support is strongest.
Critics note growing authoritarian tendencies, with arrests of opposition figures and Pashinyan's erratic public disputes. The EU has offered a €50 million support package to help Armenia withstand Russian pressure.
Observers say many voters back Pashinyan because the opposition is discredited and linked to Russia. As one voter put it, 'People are choosing the lesser of two evils.'
