Landslide Victory for Pashinian’s Alliance in Armenia

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian’s alliance won a landslide victory in Armenia’s snap parliamentary elections on 9 December.

Gaining more than 70% of the vote he called the result a “revolutionary majority” for Armenia. The victory gives Pashinian the parliamentary majority that should allow him to push through his anti-corruption program and economic reforms, nine months after the velvet revolution ignited hopes of change.

The Republican Party (HHK), the former ruling party in Armenia failed to gain seats in the National Assembly with only 4.7% of the votes. Gagik Tsarukian’s Prosperous Armenia Party came second, winning 8.3% of the votes.

Speaking earlier in December, Pashinian declared the elections to be “clear and transparent.  “Citizens of our country are voting for a revolutionary majority and they are doing it in a calm environment,” he said.

48.6% of the 2.6 million Armenians who were eligible to vote took part in the elections. Pashinian has vowed to end government corruption and improve the economy in order to curb the high unemployment rate in the country. He also intends to maintain a strong relationship with Russia, whilst coming closer to the US and the EU.

By Amy Jones

Photo source: USnews