Armenians are casting ballots in a parliamentary election where the government's pursuit of a peace deal with Azerbaijan, following a significant military defeat, and the nation's relationship with Russia are central issues.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party is leading in opinion polls, projected to secure up to 32% of the vote. The pro-Russian Strong Armenia party trails significantly, with up to 11% support. Pashinyan, who came to power in 2018, has steered Armenia towards the West, diverging from its traditional patron, Russia, a move that has drawn criticism from Moscow.
Under Pashinyan's leadership, the country has experienced economic growth, with GDP per capita doubling. Voters like 39-year-old Karine Darbinyan have expressed satisfaction with this progress, stating, "I really like how Armenia has been growing right before my eyes."
However, Pashinyan has faced considerable opposition criticism, particularly concerning the aftermath of the 2023 war and the subsequent exodus of ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. He has positioned his peace initiative, including an agreement signed with Azerbaijan at the White House last August, as a key achievement of his tenure.
The opposition, largely composed of pro-Russian factions like Strong Armenia, advocates for closer ties with Moscow. This party, founded by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, emphasizes maintaining historical and economic links with Russia. Supporters, such as a voter identifying as Gayane whose family is from Nagorno-Karabakh, express a desire to preserve Armenian identity and traditions, feeling that recent events have diminished hope.
Pashinyan's government has also faced accusations of authoritarianism, with critics pointing to the jailing of opposition figures. The government maintains that law enforcement actions are necessary to counter attempts to destabilize the nation. Several arrests of opposition members, including candidates for the Strong Armenia party, have occurred in the period leading up to the election. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time and will close at 8 p.m., with approximately 2.48 million registered voters in the country of 3 million.
