Armenia's pro-European party wins parliamentary elections, signaling shift from Russia

Armenia's ruling pro-European party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has won parliamentary elections, confirming the country's shift towards Europe and away from Russia. The final results indicate that Pashinyan's Civil Contract party secured a slim majority, while the Strong Armenia alliance, led by billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, obtained 25% of the parliamentary seats. Pashinyan stated that the election results reflect the people's desire for peace and regional cooperation, and he aims to deepen ties with Europe while maintaining membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Pashinyan, calling his victory a sign of a democratic Armenia moving closer to Europe. This election is the first national vote since Armenia's loss of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan in 2023, which has been a point of contention for Pashinyan's administration. Despite the victory, Pashinyan faces challenges, including the need for a supermajority to amend the constitution regarding territorial claims to Nagorno-Karabakh, a crucial aspect for a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan has also been criticized for his handling of the conflict with Azerbaijan, but he argues that pursuing peace will lead to economic opportunities and stability for Armenia.