On June 7, parliamentary elections took place in Armenia. Voter turnout was around 59%, approximately 10% more than in the previous election.
Exit-poll surveys indicate the victory of the current Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s party. Meduza reports that the polling day was relatively calm, however, there were detentions of supporters of the main pro-Russian opposition force, the “Strong Armenia” bloc.
On election day, Pashinyan himself made conciliatory statements towards the Russian authorities, but at the same time promised the population that they would benefit from the advantages of integration into the European Union.
His main opponent, the leader of “Strong Armenia”, Samvel Karapetyan, went to vote escorted by the Police, as he is under house arrest. He avoided harsh criticism and mentioned that balance is necessary in foreign policy approach.
In the last week, the international press has written that Moscow, following the example applied in Moldova, is sending thousands of voters by plane to Yerevan. The plan would have been for approximately 100,000 Armenians settled in Russia, to be mobilized to vote in the elections in Armenia, and in the regions there would have been norms for their recruitment.
On the other hand, local authorities have handed out subpoenas and military exercise summons to those who have arrived in the country, which will last for 25 days, writes The Moscow Times. Those who refuse risk criminal charges. The Ministry of Defense pointed out that this measure also applies to citizens returning from other countries, not just from Russia.
The legislation in Armenia prohibits overseas voting, and in the latest statements from Moscow, Kremlin representatives have tried to scare Armenian citizens that they will repeat the fate of Ukraine.