Arabic version: أرمينيا تستعد لانتخابات حاسمة مع ضغط اقتصادي من روسيا
Armenia is set to hold elections on 7 June, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan seeking re-election under increasing economic pressure from Russia. According to BBC News, Pashinyan’s campaign focuses on a promise of European integration, a significant shift from Armenia’s traditional ties with Moscow.
Since taking office in 2018, Pashinyan has worked to strengthen relations with the West, including initiating the process to join the EU and negotiating a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. However, his domestic support has dropped sharply, from 54% in 2021 to around 30% today, primarily due to the controversial concessions made regarding Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pashinyan faces opposition from multiple parties, including the Armenia Alliance led by former president Robert Kocharyan. His main rival, billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, is currently under house arrest but is campaigning through his nephew. Polls indicate that while Pashinyan’s party leads with 32%, around 40% of voters say they trust no political figure.
Russia’s influence looms large over the election, with President Vladimir Putin warning of economic repercussions for Armenia if it continues to pursue closer ties with the West. In the weeks leading up to the election, Moscow has imposed bans on Armenian exports, further straining the country’s economy. The economic ties between Armenia and Russia remain critical, with Russia accounting for 36% of Armenia’s foreign trade in 2025.
Despite facing criticism for his handling of domestic issues, Pashinyan’s campaign slogan, ‘Stand for Peace!’, reflects his commitment to a peaceful resolution with Azerbaijan and a vision of integration with Europe. However, his critics accuse him of authoritarianism and using state resources to bolster his campaign. As voters prepare to head to the polls, they face a difficult choice: bear the economic costs of Pashinyan’s pro-Western policies or revert to a past dominated by corruption and authoritarian rule.
