Armenians called to the polls amid a fragile peace and tensions with Russia

Armenian voters are casting their ballots this Sunday in parliamentary elections seen as crucial for the country's political future, as the government seeks to consolidate a peace agreement with Azerbaijan after the military defeat suffered in 2023.

The election is widely seen as a test for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his party, the Civil Contract, who have made rapprochement with the West and normalization of relations with Azerbaijan political priorities.

According to the latest polls, the ruling party is in the lead with approximately 32% of voting intentions. Behind it is the pro-Russian Strong Armenia movement, credited with around 11%, in a context marked by debates about Russia's role in the country's security.

Since Azerbaijan regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023, the Armenian government has accelerated its diplomatic efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement. This approach, however, has drawn criticism from the opposition, which accuses the government of making too many concessions.

Relations between Yerevan and Russia have also deteriorated in recent years. Many Armenian officials criticize Moscow for not providing sufficient support to Armenia during the conflicts with Azerbaijan, despite the historical and military ties between the two countries.

The election campaign has been tense. Several opposition figures have been arrested in recent days, a decision denounced by their supporters but defended by the authorities as part of ordinary legal procedures.

The results of this election could influence not only Armenian domestic politics, but also the future of peace negotiations in the South Caucasus and Yerevan's relations with Moscow and Western partners.