Armenian citizens are casting their votes in a crucial parliamentary election that will determine whether the current government’s peace initiatives and pivot toward Western nations will continue following a devastating military defeat by Azerbaijan three years earlier.
Polling data indicates Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party maintains a commanding lead with support from as many as 32% of voters, while the pro-Russian Strong Armenia party holds second position at approximately 11%.
Since assuming office in 2018, Pashinyan has shifted Armenia’s foreign policy orientation toward Western nations and reduced dependence on Russia, the country’s historical ally, creating tension with Moscow ahead of Sunday’s voting.
Under Pashinyan’s leadership, the nation has seen its GDP per capita increase twofold, with the former journalist and opposition figure transitioning into political leadership.
“I really like how Armenia has been growing right before my eyes,” said 39-year-old voter Karine Darbinyan during a Pashinyan campaign event in Yerevan’s main square on Friday.
NAGORNO-KARABAKH DISPLACEMENT CREATES POLITICAL TENSIONS
Opposition groups and segments of the population have sharply criticized Pashinyan, claiming he surrendered to Azerbaijani demands, especially following the 2023 conflict.
In response, Pashinyan has made his peace negotiations the focal point of his campaign, highlighting the accord he reached at the White House last August with Azerbaijan, ending decades of intermittent warfare that began in the late 1980s.
The opposition landscape is largely controlled by Russia-aligned factions, including Strong Armenia, established last year by Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan. His platform emphasizes maintaining close ties with Russia, which serves as a major energy provider and export market for Armenia.
During a Strong Armenia campaign gathering in Yerevan last week, a supporter identifying herself only as Gayane expressed backing for Karapetyan because he would guarantee “that our Armenia remains Armenian.”
Gayane explained her family origins trace to Nagorno-Karabakh, the disputed region populated by ethnic Armenians that Azerbaijan reclaimed during the 2023 conflict. Following the swift one-day military operation, the territory’s complete Armenian population evacuated in disorder.
“We lost Artsakh, hoping it would remain with us,” Gayane stated, referencing the traditional Armenian designation for the region.
“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.”
Opposition figures and human rights organizations have charged Pashinyan with authoritarian behavior following the imprisonment of numerous political rivals in recent years.
Government officials have generally supported law enforcement actions against people they claim are attempting to orchestrate government overthrows.
A series of detentions leading up to the election has focused on opposition members, including parliamentary nominees from the Strong Armenia party.
Voting locations opened at 8 a.m. local time and will remain accessible until 8 p.m. Approximately 2.48 million citizens are eligible to participate in the election within the landlocked nation of 3 million residents.
