Armenians vote in election testing peace efforts and Russia ties

Armenians are heading to the polls Sunday in a parliamentary election that serves as a referendum on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's peace initiatives with Azerbaijan. The vote also highlights Armenia's shifting geopolitical alignment, moving closer to the West and away from its traditional patron, Russia.

Pashinyan's ruling Civil Contract party is projected to lead, with polls suggesting up to 32% of the vote. His tenure has seen Armenia's GDP per capita double, a fact celebrated by supporters like Karine Darbinyan, who said, "I really like how Armenia has been growing right before my eyes."

However, Pashinyan faces significant criticism, particularly from opposition parties and segments of the public, for his handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The devastating military defeat in 2023, which resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control of the territory, has fueled accusations of capitulation. Pashinyan defends his peace efforts, emphasizing an agreement signed with Azerbaijan last August.

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I really like how Armenia has been growing right before my eyes.

The opposition is largely dominated by pro-Russian groups, such as Strong Armenia, led by billionaire Samvel Karapetyan. These parties advocate for maintaining close ties with Russia, a crucial energy supplier and export market. Supporters like Gayane, whose family fled Nagorno-Karabakh, express a desire to "preserve our Armenia and our traditions," seeing Karapetyan as a beacon of hope after the loss of Artsakh.

Critics also accuse Pashinyan of authoritarian tendencies, citing a series of arrests targeting opposition figures in the lead-up to the election. The government maintains these actions are necessary to prevent coups. With 2.48 million registered voters in a country of 3 million, the election's outcome will shape Armenia's future direction, balancing peace efforts with national identity and geopolitical allegiances.

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We lost Artsakh, hoping it would remain with us. The current authorities have taken away that hope from us. And Samvel Karapetyan has now given us new hope that we can at least preserve our Armenia and our traditions.