Armenia votes in snap polls to cement reform drive
YEREVAN: Armenians started voting in parliamentary elections triggered years ahead of schedule by reformist leader Nikol Pashinyan, who is aiming to cement his political authority in the post-Soviet country.
The 43-year-old former journalist became prime minister in May after spearheading weeks of peaceful anti-government rallies that ousted veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian.
However Pashinyan’s reform drive was stalled for months by opposition from Sarkisian’s ruling party which dominated parliament.
After weeks of political manoeuvring by the prime minister and more street protests, the parliament was dissolved last month.
Pashinyan’s party is expected to get a majority in the new legislature, allowing him to push ahead with his campaign to reshape the South Caucasus nation’s political landscape and spark an “economic revolution”.
“We will turn Armenia into an industrial, high-tech, export-oriented country,” Pashinyan told supporters at a rally last week, pledging “the best elections Armenia has ever seen” and ruling out ballot stuffing and voter intimidation.
Last month, Pashinyan stepped down as prime minister to pave the way for snap elections under a clause in Armenian law. He is currently acting prime minister.
Observers expect him to return to the post with his party in control of parliament.
Parliamentary elections had not been scheduled to be held until 2022.
Pashinyan has pledged to root out endemic corruption and address widespread poverty, earning him supporters in the impoverished landlocked nation.
“He organised this revolution well and intelligently,” construction worker Georgi Grigoryan said of Pashinyan yesterday.
“We all hope that now everything will work out well.”
On foreign policy, Pashinyan has said Armenia will “further strengthen (our) strategic alliance with Russia and, at the same time, step up cooperation with the United States and European Union”.
Analysts say Pashinyan sought new elections while he is at the peak of his popularity. — AFP