Armenia votes for pro-West party despite pressure from Russia

Armenia's governing Civil Contract party secured a victory in a parliamentary election, a result seen as pivotal for the nation's geopolitical alignment. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party garnered 49.8% of the vote, with the Strong Armenia Alliance and Armenia Alliance trailing. The election outcome suggests a move away from traditional ties with Russia and towards closer relations with Western countries.

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Russia exercised unprecedented pressure, using public threats and trade measures, trying to substantially alter the results of the election.

However, the electoral process was marred by what international observers described as blatant interference from Russia. Representatives from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe noted "unprecedented pressure" from Moscow, including public threats and trade measures, aimed at influencing the results. Members of the European Parliament also condemned this interference in Armenia's sovereign affairs.

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As members of the European Parliament, we strongly condemn this blatant interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state.

Pashinyan hailed the win as "historic" and expressed hope for improved relations with neighbors Turkey and Azerbaijan. Despite the victory, his party did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to call a constitutional referendum, a key demand in a peace deal with Azerbaijan. Armenia has grown critical of Russia's security guarantees, particularly after Azerbaijan's recapture of Karabakh, leading Pashinyan to freeze participation in a Russia-led security bloc and pursue closer ties with the EU and Washington.

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The Armenian people voted for regional prosperity and cooperation and I hope this will draw a positive response from Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Russia, in turn, accused the West of interfering and alleged election violations, asserting a strong demand for continued Russian-Armenian ties. European leaders, including European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron, congratulated Pashinyan, emphasizing their support for a democratic Armenia drawing closer to Europe.

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The spirit of the Velvet Revolution you led in 2018 is alive and well. We deeply value our partnership with a democratic Armenia that is drawing ever closer to Europe. Armenia can count on us.