Elections for the country’s parliament, the National Assembly, have ended in Armenia. The participation rate increased by about 10% compared to the 2021 vote and approached 59%. The first preliminary results of the Armenian Central Election Commission were announced late in the evening of June 7. The Civil Contract Party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, won. Second place went to the “Strong Armenia” opposition bloc, led by the Russian billionaire and head of the Tashir Industrial and Construction Group, Samvel Karapetyan. The third place is occupied by the Armenia bloc, headed by former President Robert Kocharyan. Meduza tells the main thing about what happened in the country on election day.
- The voting process took place from eight in the morning until eight in the evening local time in 2005 polling stations throughout the country. The number of eligible voters to participate in the elections reached 2.486 million voters. The participation rate, according to the Central Election Commission of Armenia, was 58.97% (1.477 million people). For comparison, in the 2021 parliamentary elections the figure was lower – 49.4%.
- 18 political forces participated in the elections: 16 parties and two alliances. The entry barrier for parties is set at 4%. For blocs that include no more than three parties – 8%, and for blocs that include four or more parties – 10%. There is no turnout threshold in Armenia.
- According to the preliminary voting results conducted by the Central Election Commission of Armenia Announce On the evening of June 7, with 19.6 thousand ballots processed, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civic Contract party took the lead with 57.14%. The pro-Russian Strong Armenia Bloc, led by billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, received 21.43%, the Armenia Bloc, headed by former President Robert Kocharyan, received 8.21%, and the Prosperous Armenia Party, led by businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, received 5.1%. Another opposition force, Unity Wings led by former Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan, has not yet been able to overcome the four percent barrier.
- According to the first results of the opinion polls of voters leaving the polling stations (exit polls), the “Civil Contract” also won the elections. It is true that at first it was not clear whether this would be enough to keep her in power. Polls have produced a wide range of results. Thus, the News.am edition Quoted A poll conducted by an unnamed source showed that the civil contract received 32.7% of the votes. But here is the exit poll conducted by the Civil Contract itself Quotable The pro-government website Civic.am gave Pashinyan’s party 56.7%, which is close to the Central Election Commission’s first results.
- The results of the strong pro-Russian Armenia bloc led by Samvel Karapetyan, according to the same polls, were 29% and 17.5%, respectively. The News.am report claimed that other opposition forces – Armenia Bloc, Prosperous Armenia Party and Unity Wings – received 13.2%, 6.1% and 4.6%. This would give Pashinyan’s opponents the opportunity to form a parliamentary majority with a result of 52.9% of the votes.
- Nikol Pashinyan Vote Still early morning at a location in Yerevan. After the Prime Minister cast his vote male Journalists say that the tensions in relations with Russia that preceded the elections were created artificially: “Relations have an institutional basis and are based on mutual respect. Some forces operating in Armenia are trying to create tension.” Pashinyan stressed that he has “very close relations” with Vladimir Putin, and added that Armenia cannot be deprived of its status as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, because “all decisions there are made unanimously” and Yerevan “possesses veto power, like all other countries.”
- But during the day, the Prime Minister also spoke about the advantages of integration with the European Union. Thus, Pashinyan said at a press conference that the EU market will be open for Armenian agricultural products without customs duties. He referred to the telephone conversation with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, which took place on June 4. The European Commission President said that Brussels is preparing measures to support Armenia, including financial aid worth more than 50 million euros. It is also alleged that the EU is planning to simplify European market access for some goods from Armenia. Pashinyan quoted von der Leyen’s words as saying: “The agricultural products of the Republic of Armenia will be exported to the European Union without customs duties, that is, within the framework of a free customs regime.”
- The prime minister’s main rival, Samvel Karapetyan, leader of the powerful Armenia bloc, is under house arrest. It was delivered To a location in Yerevan. There the politician was able to vote as well I managed to report Journalists described the mass arrests of his supporters as occurring right on election day: “A lot of men were arrested today. More than 100 people were arrested yesterday. It’s okay.” The billionaire indicated that he himself voted “to form a legitimate government” and denied accusations of offering bribes. He also expressed confidence in his victory, after which, according to him, Armenia will pursue a balanced international policy: “We must have good relations with everyone – with America, the European Union and Russia. These are the countries that should help Armenia develop. We cannot say that we will have good relations only with Russia or only with America. In our case there will definitely be a balance.”
- Representatives of “Strong Armenia” as well maleThat the police illegally stormed the block office in Gyumri city and arrested three people. The coalition claims that the purpose of these measures is to disrupt the work of the headquarters: lawyers are not allowed to enter and protect the rights of citizens.
- According to the electoral headquarters of the ruling “Civil Contract” party, on the eve of June 6, 200 people were arrested for violations of electoral legislation on the day of silence. Chief of Staff Arayik Harutyunyan maleMany investigations have been opened and many cases have been filed.
- About “Strong Armenia” violations on voting day I mentioned And the country’s anti-corruption commission. The administration opened a criminal case regarding the provision of electoral bribes to residents of the Lori region by a candidate for deputy from the Karapetyan bloc. As part of the investigation, arrests, searches and other procedural actions were carried out.
- By the evening, the Anti-Corruption Commission also reported that the agency, in cooperation with the Kotayk Regional Criminal Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior, had uncovered a scheme to bribe about 45 voters with a total amount of 7.5 million drams. Seven people were arrested in this case.
- In total, the Ministry of Interior’s hotline received 57 reports of electoral violations as of this afternoon. 14 people were arrested.
- Two heads of electoral committees and their secretary were also arrested. This was stated by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Armenia, Vahagen Hovakimyan. He did not specify the specific case to which these procedural measures relate.
- how male According to observers, the situation in the streets of Yerevan on voting day was calm. Voters flocked to polling stations Condensate Towards the afternoon. After closing sections in the center of the capital, Yerevan He started to tighten up Police reinforcements.
Updating the article…