Armenia Decides: Voters Cast Ballots in Election That Will Shape Country's Future

On Sunday, the people of Armenia went to the polls to vote in a parliamentary election that is expected to have a significant impact on the country's future. The election is seen as a test of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's move to shift the country's foreign policy towards the West, away from its traditional ally, Russia. Armenia and Russia have a long history of cooperation, but in recent years, Pashinyan has been working to reduce the country's dependence on Moscow and strengthen its ties with the European Union and the United States. This move has been met with resistance from Russia, which has accused Armenia of trying to join the EU, a move that it claims led to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The election comes after years of turmoil in Armenia, including a military takeover of the Karabakh region by Azerbaijan, a long-time foe of Armenia. Pashinyan has framed the election as a choice between a lasting peace with Azerbaijan or a return to war. He has also sought to reassure voters that Armenia will pursue a balanced foreign policy, saying 'there is no question of choosing' between Russia and the West. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Armenia's move towards the EU could have serious consequences, saying 'we all see what is happening with Ukraine now... How did it all begin? With Ukraine's attempt to join the EU.' Despite these warnings, Pashinyan has insisted that he does not want a rupture with Moscow. The election has been marked by allegations of interference from Russia, with Armenian officials accusing 'enemies of freedom' of funding propaganda efforts. The US has offered its support to Pashinyan, with President Donald Trump offering his 'TOTAL Endorsement for Re-Election' to the Armenian leader. The outcome of the election is still unclear, but it is expected to have a significant impact on Armenia's future. Pashinyan's party is currently leading in the polls, but it is unclear if it will be able to secure the two-thirds majority needed to pass constitutional amendments. The election has also raised questions about Pashinyan's democratic record, with some accusing him of democratic backsliding. However, for many Armenians, the opposition is still associated with Russian influence and oligarchs. As one voter, 63-year-old craftsman Hakob Hakobyan, said, 'I voted for peace. Only Pashinyan can bring peace.' Another voter, Khachatur Movsisyan, a 59-year-old mechanical engineer, said he had backed an opposition party 'because the country, and all of us, need change — in foreign policy, domestic policy and in negotiations with Azerbaijan.'