YEREVAN (Realist English). The Central Election Commission of Armenia has announced the final results of the parliamentary elections held on June 7. According to the published data, three political forces are entering the National Assembly.
The party of acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, “Civil Contract,” received 49.745% of the vote and 64 mandates; the “Strong Armenia” bloc — 23.271% (29 mandates); and the “Armenia” bloc of former President Robert Kocharyan — 9.923% (12 mandates).
Thus, although Pashinyan’s party did not gain 50% of the vote, it receives the opportunity to unilaterally form a government — thanks to mandates allocated for national minorities and the redistribution of votes from parties that did not enter parliament.
However, the main strategic milestone — amending the Constitution — remains unattainable for him without the support of the opposition. This key limitation may in the future become both a bargaining chip with political opponents and a source of political tension.
| Category | What he can do (enough votes) | What he cannot do (not enough votes) |
| Formation of power | • Unilaterally form the government. • Appoint the Prime Minister without coalitions. | • Cannot unilaterally elect the President (needs 3/5 votes) — although this threshold is met, full control over the procedure is absent. |
| Lawmaking | • Pass ordinary laws. • Pass/amend constitutional laws. • Appoint key officials (judges, ombudsman, head of the Control Chamber, etc.). | • Amend the Constitution. |
| Control and stability | • Approve the state budget and key economic decisions. • Override the presidential veto on laws. | • Unilaterally initiate impeachment of the President. |
“Prosperous Armenia” Left Out
The party of businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, “Prosperous Armenia,” received 3.893% of the vote and did not overcome the 4% threshold for entering parliament.
This was preceded by a CEC decision on June 11 declaring the voting results invalid at three polling stations. This cost Tsarukyan’s party 222 votes.
Court Confirms Annulment of Votes
The Administrative Court of Armenia rejected the lawsuits of “Prosperous Armenia,” which challenged the CEC’s decision to annul the voting results at two polling stations.
Judges Arthur Avagyan and Ani Chilingaryan rejected the opposition’s complaints. Despite rejecting the lawsuit, the court noted the presence of violations at the polling stations and pointed out the need for a repeat vote at some of them.
Kocharyan Banned from Leaving
Former President of Armenia, leader of the “Armenia” bloc Robert Kocharyan, was banned from leaving the country at Zvartnots airport. Kocharyan’s office had previously announced his plans to leave the republic for three days, noting that the trip was personal, had been planned long ago, and was postponed due to the elections.
Prime Minister Pashinyan said in a video address that the heads of three opposition forces — Samvel Karapetyan, Robert Kocharyan and Gagik Tsarukyan — “will be broken.”
“Even during the election campaign, I told you that you would dream of the opportunity to escape from Armenia, but you will not have that opportunity,” Pashinyan said.
Tsarukyan Sues Pashinyan
The leader of “Prosperous Armenia,” Gagik Tsarukyan, filed lawsuits against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Public Television of Armenia.
The reason was Pashinyan’s public statements at a briefing on May 28, where he called Tsarukyan a “criminal, spy and agent,” and also accused him of “robbing the people of Armenia.”
Tsarukyan demands a public refutation from Pashinyan and compensation of $24,500 for moral damages. The court accepted the lawsuit for proceedings.
At the same time, a criminal case was opened against Tsarukyan for tax evasion on an especially large scale; he is also banned from leaving the country.
Meeting with Azerbaijan
Against the backdrop of domestic political events, a working meeting between the Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, and the Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, Hikmet Hajiyev, took place in Dilijan.
The parties discussed issues of the bilateral agenda, noting the importance of continuing dialogue to strengthen long-term peace and stability in the region. The next meeting, as agreed by the participants, will take place in Azerbaijan.
Meetings of the head of the Armenian Security Council with handlers from Baku, the destruction of political opponents, travel bans and show trials — all these are links in the same chain. Armenia is rapidly losing the remnants of its independence, and its “winner” Pashinyan is doing exactly what he is paid for from Baku and Ankara.
Baku no longer hesitates to issue ultimatums: Yerevan is required to eliminate any mention of the Karabakh heritage, adopt a new Constitution that will officially enshrine the renunciation of any territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and continue the dismantling of Armenian borders.
Western rating agencies (in particular S&P) also support Baku and Pashinyan, openly stating that the victory of “Civil Contract” will strengthen peace negotiations — that is, it will force Armenia to sign another act of capitulation.
