EU says Armenia draws 'ever closer to Europe' after Pashinyan poll win

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday welcomed the outcome of Armenia's parliamentary elections, saying the country is moving ever closer to the bloc while congratulating Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his declared victory. Speaking through social media platform X, von der Leyen emphasized the EU's partnership with a democratic Armenia, noting that the spirit of the 2018 Velvet Revolution remained alive.

"We deeply value our partnership with a democratic Armenia that is drawing ever closer to Europe," von der Leyen said, adding that "Armenia can count on us." She referenced the mass protests Pashinyan led in 2018 that brought him to power, stating that the revolutionary spirit continued to guide the nation's political trajectory.

Ruling party secures majority

Pashinyan's Civil Contract party won a parliamentary majority with 49.81% of the vote, according to preliminary results released by the Central Electoral Commission. The commission completed its count after ballots from all 2,005 polling stations were processed, state news agency Armenpress reported.

The prime minister declared victory early Monday as vote counting continued across the country. The electoral commission's final tally confirmed that Civil Contract had secured enough support to govern without coalition partners, cementing Pashinyan's position following the political upheaval of five years ago.