The ruling party in Armenia has successfully quashed its opponents during the recent parliamentary elections and indicated a massive public support in welcoming Western powers into their once war-torn nation, a reality that has ruffled the Russian government due to potentially losing one of its long-standing allies in West Asia.
‘Historic victory for Armenia’
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinayan released a statement shortly after his party, the Civil Contract party, had raked in massive votes against its opponents, with the latest tally indicating that the ruling party had managed to receive 49.8 percent votes, according to Armenia’s Central Election Commission.
The Strong Armenia Alliance, led by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, received merely 23.2 percent of the votes and the Armenia Alliance came in third with only 9.9 percent.
Karapetyan, currently under house arrest for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, had been vocal in opposing Armenia’s apparent friendlier ties with European leaders and had pushed for retaining his country’s traditional alliance with Russia.
He said that the results of the election were “shameful”.
As for Pashinayan, he said that the turnout of the elections was a “historic victory that will ensure Armenia ‘s eternity and development”.
The Civil Contract party now holds 64 seats in the Armenian Parliament.
Despite its electoral win, the party fell short in securing two-thirds of the Parliament needed to form a constitutional referendum as part of its peace deal with neighbouring Azerbaijan.
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Russia expresses disappointment
Moscow was swift to show its distaste for the parliamentary elections in Armenia, with Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claiming that the polls had interference from the West and were intended to be “extremely polarised”.
Zakharova said that the European Union (EU) had resorted to “extreme pressure” in pushing for its ideologies in Armenia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously urged Armenia to hold a referendum on whether Armenians would seek to form new bonds with the West or remain close to Russia.
Pashinayan called Putin’s remark “unreasonable”.
EU, Turkey bid support on result of election
Armenia’s newly formed allies from the EU, particularly France, have sent their respective congratulatory messages to the people of Armenia, practicing their democratic right in choosing their leaders and representatives.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen addressed her statement to Pashinayan, saying that Armenia has already been inching towards Europe, with French President Emmanuel Macron hailing the result as a “momentum” towards Europe.
Turkey, once Armenia’s fierce foe, has also expressed support for the results of the Armenian parliamentary election and hoped that Pashinayan’s administration would use such a milestone as inspiration for “bolder” moves towards peace and normalisation in the region.
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