Yerevan, Armenia. Armenia’s governing Civil Contract party won a parliamentary election seen as a test of its handling of a peace deal with Azerbaijan and its shift toward the West and away from traditional partner Russia. With all polling stations counted, the party won 49.8% of the vote, enough to secure a parliamentary majority under Armenia’s electoral system, the Central Election Commission said on Monday.
Election result and turnout
The results followed a turnout of nearly 59%. They also showed a stronger-than-expected performance for the two main pro-Russian opposition groups, which won a combined 31% of the vote and are on track to enter parliament alongside Civil Contract.
First vote since 2023 defeat
Sunday’s vote was Armenia’s first parliamentary election since its military defeat by Azerbaijan in 2023, following years of conflict and political turbulence.
Implications for foreign policy
Pashinyan’s victory is expected to support his efforts to diversify Armenia’s allies and trading partners away from Russia and toward Western countries. A central part of that strategy is securing a peace deal with Azerbaijan and normalizing relations with Turkey, a move that could open economic opportunities and improve regional connectivity in a region between Russia, Iran and Europe.
Pashinyan’s response
Pashinyan described the outcome as a “historic victory” at a press conference early on Monday. “The Armenian people voted for regional prosperity and cooperation and I hope this will draw a positive response from Turkey and Azerbaijan,” he said, while pledging to continue building ties with both the West and Russia.
Referendum hurdle in peace process
However, Pashinyan did not secure the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to call a constitutional referendum demanded by Azerbaijan as part of a peace deal. Such a referendum is also linked to reopening the border and restarting trade with Turkey, Azerbaijan’s ally.
Uncertainty over next steps
Zaur Shiriyev, a non-resident scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said it remained unclear whether Azerbaijan would be willing to move forward with the peace process if Armenia did not call a referendum to amend its constitution.
