Pashinyan claims election victory as Armenia deepens European ties

Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan has declared victory in the country’s parliamentary election, strengthening Armenia’s move towards Europe and away from Russian influence.

Preliminary results showed Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party winning nearly 50% of the vote, well ahead of the pro-Russian Strong Armenia alliance led by businessman Samvel Karapetyan.

Calling the result a “historic victory”, Pashinyan said voters had chosen peace, stability and closer cooperation with Europe. The election was the first national vote since Armenia’s military defeat to Azerbaijan in 2023, when it lost control of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

European leaders quickly welcomed the result. Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Pashinyan and praised “a democratic Armenia that is drawing ever closer to Europe”. French president Emmanuel Macron also hailed the outcome, saying it would strengthen Armenia’s ties with Europe.

Belgian Foreign minister Maxime Prevot praised Armenia’s democratic participation, saying voters had reaffirmed their commitment to democracy, peace and closer relations with Europe despite external pressure and interference.

The result is likely to disappoint Moscow. Relations between Armenia and Russia have cooled in recent years. Pashinyan has accused Russia of failing to protect Armenia during the 2023 conflict with Azerbaijan. In the run-up to the election, Russian president Vladimir Putin warned against Armenia moving closer to the European Union.

Despite the victory, Pashinyan’s party fell short of the large majority needed to change the constitution, a key step in finalising a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. Opposition critics also continue to accuse him of making too many concessions to Baku and of becoming increasingly authoritarian.

^{Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan © Karen MINASYAN / AFP}