Armenia votes for pro-West party despite pressure from Russia

Armenia's governing Civil Contract party has won an election seen as key to deciding whether the country moves closer to the West, despite what international election observers called blatant interference and pressure by Russia.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party won 49.8% of votes, with the Strong Armenia Alliance coming in second with 23.2%. The Armenia Alliance was third with 9.9%.

International election monitors said the run-up to voting was marked by efforts from Armenia's traditional patron Russia to influence the outcome.

"Russia exercised unprecedented pressure, using public threats and trade measures, trying to substantially alter the results of the election," said Edita Estrella of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe observer mission.

"As members of the European Parliament, we strongly condemn this blatant interference in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state."

Mr Pashinyan called the result a "historic victory" and is expected to boost efforts to diversify Armenia's allies and trading partners.

The Prime Minister has been vocal about shifting the country's focus away from Russia, its largest trading partner and looking towards Western countries.

"The Armenian people voted for regional prosperity and cooperation and I hope this will draw a positive response from Türkiye and Azerbaijan,"

he said.

Mr Pashinyan fell short of the two thirds majority needed in parliament in order to call a constitutional referendum, which has been demanded as part of a peace deal by Azerbaijan.

Both countries have been at war intermittently since the late 1980s.

Russia accused the West of interfering in the vote and joined Armenia's opposition in alleging election violations.

"There is clearly broad demand within Armenian society for the steady development of Russian-Armenian ties," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

'Closer to Europe'

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Mr Pashinyan on his win, telling him: "The spirit of the Velvet Revolution you led in 2018 is alive and well.

"We deeply value our partnership with a democratic Armenia that is drawing ever closer to Europe.

Armenia can count on us.'

French President Emmanuel Macron said the result would boost "momentum toward closer ties with Europe".

Mr Pashinyan has drifted from Moscow since 2023, with Armenia criticising Russia not coming to its aid when Azerbaijan recaptured Karabakh.

He froze participation in a Russia-led security bloc, signed a strategic partnership agreement with Washington, and set Armenia on a path toward possible EU membership.

Moscow has in recent weeks escalated its rhetoric.

In a pointed warning, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in May: "We all see what is happening with Ukraine now... How did it all begin? With Ukraine's attempt to join the EU."

In the weeks before the vote, Russia banned the import of several Armenian products.

The Kremlin was widely accused of online misinformation, hacking and pumping out Kremlin-friendly narratives portraying Western cooperation as dangerous.

Armenia's Investigative Committee said it had opened 59 criminal cases over alleged electoral violations -- including people casting multiple ballots -- and detained nine people.