Armenia’s Vote: A Shift Toward the West

Early counts from only 5 % of polling places show the ruling party, Civil Contract, winning about *57 %*.

The election has just begun. The results shown on public television by Armenia’s election board reveal a clear lead for the ruling party, Civil Contract. Early figures indicate:

• Civil Contract – ~57 % of the vote
• Strong Armenia (pro‑Russian alliance) – ~21 %
• Armenia Alliance (led by former President Robert Kocharyan) – ~8 %

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has been pushing Armenia toward closer ties with the West, while also seeking lasting peace with Azerbaijan after years of conflict. This election tests his strategy: it pits his party against three main opposition groups that favor stronger relations with Russia.

Opinion polls before the vote had Civil Contract ahead, receiving up to 32 % of support, with Strong Armenia second at about 11 %. The current results are still preliminary; more stations will report, potentially shifting the final numbers. Observers will watch closely to see if Armenia’s western direction continues.