YEREVAN — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed victory early Monday in the country's parliamentary election, as preliminary results showed his Civil Contract party securing about 49.8% of the vote and a majority of seats.
The vote took place on Sunday, June 7, 2026. Pashinyan addressed supporters at his party's headquarters, hailing the outcome as a "historic victory." He said the Armenian people “voted for regional prosperity and cooperation and I hope this will draw a positive response from Turkey and Azerbaijan.”
According to the Central Election Commission, Civil Contract received approximately 49.8% of the vote with nearly all polling stations counted, enough to form a single-party government in the 101-seat National Assembly. The main opposition Strong Armenia alliance placed second with about 23.3%, followed by the Armenia Alliance with roughly 9.9%. Turnout reached nearly 59%, one of the highest in recent years.
Pashinyan has led Armenia since 2018, coming to power after the Velvet Revolution. The election was widely viewed as a test of the country's shifting foreign policy, including reduced reliance on Russia and closer ties with the West and the European Union.
Some opposition groups alleged irregularities and have cried foul, while international observers noted instances of pressure but reported no widespread violations that would alter the overall result, according to preliminary assessments. Details on specific complaints remain under review.
The election comes amid Armenia's efforts to negotiate peace with Azerbaijan following the 2023 developments in Nagorno-Karabakh and to diversify its international partnerships. Pashinyan has pledged to continue building ties with both Western countries and Russia.
Leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered congratulations on the result.
As of Monday, final official results were still being processed by the Central Election Commission. The new parliament is expected to convene in the coming weeks. Details on the exact seat distribution and any potential legal challenges remain unclear.
