Voting is underway in Armenia's parliamentary election, widely regarded as a referendum on the government's efforts to secure a peace deal with rival Azerbaijan and reduce ties with Moscow.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his ruling Civil Contract party are seeking a strong mandate to continue a geopolitical reorientation toward Europe, away from former imperial ruler Russia. The opposition includes several parties that are vocally pro-Moscow.
Casting his ballot on Sunday, Pashinyan said Armenia would continue strengthening its independence, statehood, democracy, and rule of law. “The European Union is our main partner in democratic reform implementation and we will continue that path,” he claimed.
He also stressed that there were no tensions between Armenia and Moscow, saying relations were “institutional and based on mutual respect,” according to the Armenpress news agency.
Pashinyan has moved Armenia closer to the West since coming to power in 2018, drawing the ire of Moscow. Russian officials have allegedly hit Armenian exports with restrictions in recent weeks, while high-ranking officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have purportedly made thinly veiled threats comparing Armenia's path to Ukraine's.
A day before the vote, Armenian investigators said they issued six arrest warrants for members of the Strong Armenia party, accusing them of buying votes. The Central Election Commission confirmed the party could still run.
Armenia's parliament must consist of at least 101 members elected for five-year terms. Parties need at least 4 percent of the vote to win seats, while blocs of three or more parties need 8 percent. Two blocs and 17 parties are participating.
Pashinyan has framed the vote as a choice between lasting peace with Azerbaijan or a return to war. His peace efforts have centered on a agreement signed at the White House last August.
The campaign has been marked by fear-mongering, with the incumbent party allegedly claiming that a pro-Russian opposition victory would lead to war, while pro-Russian parties supposedly warn of economic catastrophe if ties with Russia are cut.
Pashinyan's democratic record is also on the ballot. Eight years after sweeping to power on a promise to dismantle Armenia's oligarchic system, he faces increasing accusations of democratic backsliding.
Source: www.aljazeera.com