Armenia in snap polls

– Armenians were yesterday 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.

He has pledged to root out endemic corruption and address widespread poverty, earning him supporters in the impoverished landlocked nation of about three million people.

However Pashinyan’s reform drive was stalled for months by opposition from Sarkisian’s ruling party, which dominated the National Assembly until his calculated resignation triggered parliament’s dissolution last month.

“After the elections, we will be developing Armenian democracy and make an economic revolution happen,” Pashinyan said.

Voters expressed optimism about the political change.

“Thanks to the revolution, we will finally have fair elections,” 72-year-old pensioner Parzik Avetisyan said. –