Voters in Armenia went to the polls to elect new members of parliament. Voting began early in the morning across the country, with reports indicating a calm atmosphere at polling stations.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who voted in the capital Yerevan, expressed his belief that the elections would be completed in accordance with democratic standards. He called on citizens to vote, emphasizing that every vote is important for the country's future.
Pashinyan stated that he expects the election process to conclude transparently and peacefully, confident that the people will be the winners. He also highlighted democracy as a crucial tool for regional peace and international cooperation.
Addressing relations with Azerbaijan and Georgia, Pashinyan said Armenia is currently at peace with Azerbaijan. He noted that Armenia has very deep and fraternal ties with Georgia and expressed his expectation for the normalization of relations and establishment of diplomatic ties with Turkey.
Pashinyan expressed optimism about the opening of the border with Turkey and believes that railway and road connections will resume operation in the near future. He drew attention to the "Peace Junction" initiative, one of his government's priority projects.
Pashinyan explained that this initiative aims to strengthen economic and transportation links among Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Iran. The project is intended to boost regional mobility.
Regarding relations with the European Union, Pashinyan said Armenia will continue on its path with the support of European partners in line with democratic reforms. He stated that aligning with EU standards is one of the country's main goals and that even if membership is not achieved, they aim to establish institutions operating according to European standards.
Detentions of Opposition Figures Before Elections
Before the elections, operations targeting some opposition politicians and media outlets close to the opposition also came to the fore. It was reported that six candidates from the Strong Armenia Party, led by Samvel Karapetyan, a prominent figure of the pro-Russian opposition, were detained.
The opposition and some civil society organizations expressed concerns that these detentions could create political pressure during the election process. The government, however, argued that the actions were carried out within the framework of legal procedures.
Closure of a Media Outlet
Armat Media, known for its proximity to the opposition, was also reported to have had its activities suspended and equipment seized two days before the elections. Representatives of the outlet claimed the move was politically motivated, while authorities stated the actions were part of an ongoing investigation.
