Armenia's Civil Contract Party Wins Parliamentary Elections

In the recent parliamentary elections in Armenia, the ruling Civil Contract Party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, emerged victorious, securing 49.8% of the vote. The Strong Armenia Alliance garnered 23.2%, while the Armenia Alliance finished third with 9.9%.

This election is viewed as a referendum on Armenia's geopolitical direction following its military defeat to Azerbaijan in 2023, which has reshaped the country's political landscape. Voter turnout was reported at 59%.

Despite the victory, Pashinyan faces declining popularity due to public dissatisfaction stemming from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the elections, alleging that opposition groups faced significant pressure during the campaign.

Pashinyan emphasized Armenia's commitment to peace and stability while seeking closer ties with Western nations, despite traditional economic ties with Russia, which remains Armenia's largest trade partner. The election results are expected to influence Armenia's foreign policy direction in the coming years.