Armenians Head to the Polls in High-Stakes Parliamentary Election

Armenians cast their ballots in one of the country's most consequential parliamentary elections since independence in 1991. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who rose to power following mass anti-government protests in 2018, is seeking to strengthen Armenia's ties with the European Union while pursuing a lasting peace agreement with neighboring Azerbaijan. Supporters credit his government with improving stability, security, and economic development. Critics, however, blame him for Armenia's defeat in the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which led to the displacement of nearly 100,000 ethnic Armenians. The election could shape Armenia's geopolitical future. A strong victory for Pashinyan may pave the way for constitutional reforms and a final peace agreement with Azerbaijan, potentially opening a major U.S.-backed trade corridor through the region. Meanwhile, opposition parties argue that Armenia should maintain closer relations with Russia, a key economic and energy partner. The country remains heavily dependent on Russian energy supplies, while a significant share of Armenian exports are destined for the Russian market. As voters weigh economic opportunities, security concerns, and foreign policy priorities, the outcome could redefine Armenia's place in the region for years to come. Al Jazeera's Barnaby Lo reports. #armenia #Election #Russia #EuropeanUnion #Azerbaijan #Pashinyan #NagornoKarabakh #Geopolitics #SouthCaucasus #WorldNews Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X : https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile