{"id":596,"date":"2026-06-07T09:06:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T09:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=596"},"modified":"2026-06-07T09:06:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T09:06:34","slug":"armenians-go-to-the-polls-under-russian-pressure-aimed-at-preventing-a-drift-toward-west","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=596","title":{"rendered":"Armenians go to the polls under Russian pressure aimed at preventing a drift toward West"},"content":{"rendered":"
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YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) \u2014 Armenians<\/span> are voting Sunday in parliamentary elections as the incumbent government, under mounting Russian pressure, seeks to loosen ties with Moscow and deepen cooperation with the West. <\/p>\n

Read more 1 million turn out for pope\u2019s Mass in Spain and iconic procession along flower-carpeted route<\/a><\/p>\n

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan<\/span> and his ruling Civil Contract party are looking for a strong mandate for a new geopolitical course. The opposition they face includes some parties that are vocally pro-Russian.<\/p>\n

Casting his vote on Sunday, Pashinyan said that Armenia would continue strengthening its independence, statehood, democracy and rule of law. \u201cThe European Union is our main partner in democratic reform implementation and we will continue that path,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

However, he also stressed that there were no tensions between Armenia and Moscow, saying, \u201cour relations with Russia are institutional and based on mutual respect,\u201d the Armenpress news agency reported.<\/p>\n

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Russian officials have hit Armenian exports with a barrage of restrictions in recent weeks, while high-ranking officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have made thinly veiled threats comparing Armenia\u2019s path to that already taken by Ukraine<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Armenian investigators said they issued six arrest warrants for members of the opposition Strong Armenia party the day before the vote, accusing them of buying votes. The nation\u2019s Central Election Committee confirmed Saturday that the party could run after a member of another opposition party, Republic, appealed for Strong Armenia to be barred over corruption allegations.<\/p>\n

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Trump offers support as Putin urges caution <\/h2>\n

Armenia\u2019s Parliament, the National Assembly, must consist of at least 101 members who are elected for five-year terms. Parties must win at least 4% of the vote to take a seat, while blocs made up of three or more parties must hit 8%.<\/p>\n

Two political blocs and 17 parties are taking part in Sunday\u2019s election. Most pollsters and experts have predicted Pashinyan, who came to power in 2018 following sweeping street protests, will come out ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Armenians expect, first of all, a peaceful, independent and prosperous Armenia from this election, as we have today,\u201d said Hripsime Grigoryan, a Civil Contract member of the outgoing Parliament.<\/p>\n

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Pashinyan has spoken on several occasions about the need for a balanced foreign policy ensuring Armenia maintains good relations with the United States, Europe and Russia, as well as regional powers such as Turkey and Iran.<\/p>\n

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