Political situation in Armenia

Polling stations open ahead of Armenia's choice of direction

17 parties are on the ballot when Armenia goes to the parliamentary elections today, writes AP. At 08 on Sunday, the doors to the polling stations opened, in a choice that is largely about whether the country should continue to approach the EU or return to strong ties with Russia.

- I think that Armenians first and foremost expect a peaceful, independent and prosperous Armenia after the elections, says MP Hripsime Grigoryan to the news agency.

Most indications are that it will be the incumbent, pro-Western Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan who will take home the victory. He has been in power in the country since 2018 and is being challenged, among others, by billionaire Samvel Karapetian, who has warned about the country's current direction and sees Russia as Armenia's most important ally.

Expert: Election could weaken Putin's great power dreams

An election victory for Armenia's incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan would weaken Vladimir Putin's great power dreams in the region. Jakob Hedenskog, an analyst at the Swedish Institute for Foreign Policy, told TV4 Nyheterna.

- It would mean that Moscow loses further influence in the South Caucasus.

Armenia has long been dependent on Russia both in terms of security and economy. But Pashinyan, who was previously an ally of the Kremlin, is pursuing an increasingly pro-Western policy. At the same time, it is not obvious that Pashinyan is pro-EU; he is rather primarily a power politician, according to Hedenskog.

- He is a rather polarizing politician, with a rather harsh message and he is not afraid to antagonize other Armenian political groups.