Armenia PM Eyes Strong Mandate to Advance Pro-Western Policies

YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party led the opposition in early results from Armenia’s parliamentary elections on Monday, positioning him to secure a strong mandate for his pro-Western agenda despite threats from Moscow and allegations of Russian interference.

With 23.5 percent of precincts reporting, Civil Contract held 52.5 percent of the vote, far ahead of the Strong Armenia alliance led by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, which had 23.2 percent. Two other opposition groups also cleared the threshold. Turnout stood at 59 percent.

Pashinyan hailed a “historic victory that will ensure Armenia’s eternity and development.” He told reporters that Civil Contract would form the next government.

The election comes after years of upheaval, including Azerbaijan’s 2023 military takeover of the Karabakh region, which prompted most of the local Armenian population to flee. Pashinyan has framed the vote as a choice between lasting peace with Baku or a return to war. He has also sought to loosen Armenia’s dependence on Moscow after Russia failed to help during the Karabakh conflict.

While US President Donald Trump offered his “TOTAL Endorsement for Re-Election” to “great friend and Leader” Pashinyan, the Kremlin has bristled at losing another ally in its backyard. Moscow has been accused of trying to sway the vote through misinformation, hacker activity, and economic pressure — including a ban on several Armenian products in recent weeks.

Pashinyan insists he wants a balanced foreign policy, not a rupture with Russia. But the campaign became a battle over Armenia’s geopolitical future. Opposition parties accused the authorities of electoral violations and repression, while the government opened 59 criminal cases over alleged irregularities.

Voters appeared divided. “I voted for peace. Only Pashinyan can bring peace,” said Hakob Hakobyan, a 63-year-old craftsman. But Khachatur Movsisyan, a 59-year-old mechanical engineer, backed the opposition because “the country, and all of us, need change — in foreign policy, domestic policy and in negotiations with Azerbaijan.”

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