Armenian authorities remain careful not to frame their foreign policy as a binary choice between Moscow and Brussels
YEREVAN – Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s victory has reinforced Yerevan’s westward tilt, setting the stage for further tensions with Russia, as Moscow seeks to preserve its influence in the South Caucasus.
Two days before Armenia’s parliamentary elections on Sunday, Republic Square in central Yerevan was packed with thousands of supporters attending Pashinyan’s final major campaign rally.
The confidence on display was reflected at the ballot box: the ruling pro-EU Civil Contract party won 49.81% of the vote, securing 64 seats in the 101-member parliament.
Several opposition leaders, including Samvel Karapetyan, have contested the results, calling them “shameful” and citing political persecution. Members of his Moscow-leaning Strong Armenia party have been arrested over alleged election violations and other criminal offences. Karapetyan, Pashinyan’s main challenger, won 25% of the vote.
