‘It’s time to move forward’: Armenians vote in election closely watched by Russia and EU

AI Summary

Armenians voted in a critical election observed by Russia and the EU, choosing between the pro-Russian opposition and incumbent Nikol Pashinyan. This election could cement Armenia's shift towards Europe and away from traditional Russian alliances amid high political stakes.

Voters to choose between pro-Russian opposition and incumbent Nikol Pashinyan, who is more closely aligned with the west Armenians are going to the polls in an election that could cement the country’s shift towards Europe and away from its traditional alliance with Russia. Prime minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party enters the vote as the favourite, ahead of three opposition candidates who advocate for closer ties with Moscow. Pashinyan’s main challenger, Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire who built much of his fortune in Russia, has been forced to campaign from house arrest at his mansion outside Yerevan. Continue reading...