YEREVAN -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian early on June 8 declared victory for his Civil Contract party over several pro-Russia groupings after surpassing 50 percent in the initial vote counting.The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) said that with nearly 27 percent of ballots counted, Civil Contract had 51.4 percent of votes, while the Moscow-friendly Strong Armenia alliance was in second at 23.3 percent.The Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharian and also considered to be pro-Moscow, was in third at 9.8 percent."This is a historic victory that will definitely ensure the permanence and development of Armenia, and, of course, we will have lasting and institutional peace," Pashinian told a post-election news conference.
Pre-vote polls had indicated Civil Contract had 24-32 percent support, while Strong Armenia was at 9-11 percent, although many potential voters were listed as "undecided."Initial estimates gave Pashinian's party 61 seats in the 105-member National Assembly, a clear majority if the number stands after final results are totaled.But it would still short of the 70 needed to smoothly push through constitutional changes he has said are necessary to forge peace with neighboring bitter rival Azerbaijan and other measures.Election officials reported 59 percent turnout as Armenians voted in a test of the prime minister’s support following the controversial peace deal with Baku and his efforts to pull the small South Caucasus nation closer to the West after decades of reliance on Russia."We will accept any choice made by the people," Pashinian told reporters after casting his ballot at a polling station in the capital, Yerevan.Pashinian said Armenia would pursue a balanced foreign policy after the election, adding that "there is no question of choosing" between Russia and the West.
