Armenia: Incumbent Prime Minister declares election victory, pro-Russia opposition loses clearly

Armenia's incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has declared victory in the nation's parliamentary elections, with preliminary results showing his Civil Contract party securing a decisive mandate. The party garnered approximately 51% of the vote, comfortably ahead of its closest rival.

The main opposition, the pro-Russian party Strong Armenia, led by billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, trailed significantly, capturing about 22% of the ballots. This result suggests a clear preference among Armenian voters for Pashinyan's government, which has been steering the country towards closer ties with the West.

Pashinyan, who rose to power in 2018, has actively sought to distance Armenia from Russia during his tenure. Notably, he froze the country's membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization in 2024. In contrast, Strong Armenia campaigned on a platform of strengthening pro-business policies and maintaining close relations with Russia.

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Incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has declared himself the winner of Sunday's parliamentary elections in Armenia, according to news agencies AFP and Reuters.

Karapetyan himself faced legal challenges, having been placed under house arrest last year on suspicion of plotting a coup. The election also took place amidst allegations of Russian interference, including the spread of disinformation online and economic pressure through import bans on Armenian products, which were seen as attempts to influence the outcome.

The election's outcome carries significant implications for Armenia's geopolitical orientation and its ongoing efforts to achieve peace with neighboring Azerbaijan. Pashinyan has positioned himself as a proponent of lasting peace between the two nations, a critical issue given their history of conflict over disputed territories.

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According to preliminary results, the ruling party led by Pashinyan, Civil Contract, received about 51 percent of the votes. The margin was clear compared to the opposition party Strong Armenia, which received about 22 percent of the votes.