Sirusho Says Yerevan Authorities Ordered Removal of Large Cross From Pregomesh Storefront
Armenian singer and entrepreneur Sirusho, who operates a silver jewelry brand, has claimed that municipal authorities ordered the removal of a large cross displayed on the facade of her Pregomesh jewelry store in Yerevan. In a post shared on her Instagram Stories, Sirusho said the business had been informed that the cross must be removed by June 11 or face financial penalties. Sirusho is a prominent Armenian performer and the wife of Levon Kocharyan, a member of parliament an
Journalist Who Exposed Alleged Election Violations Ordered to Military Training One Day After Vote
An Armenian journalist who spent the country’s parliamentary election campaign documenting alleged abuses by the ruling party was ordered to report for military reserve training just one day after the vote, raising fresh concerns among press freedom advocates about possible retaliation against critical reporting. Narek Khachatryan, a reporter for NEWS.am, received a notice requiring him to participate in a 25-day military training exercise shortly after covering a series of a
Gagik Tsarukyan Faces Tax Evasion Charges Days After Election Loss
Armenian authorities have launched a criminal case against opposition politician and businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, just days after his party narrowly failed to secure representation in parliament following the country's closely watched parliamentary elections. Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office announced on Monday that public criminal prosecution had been initiated against Tsarukyan under a provision of the Criminal Code related to tax evasion on an especially large scale.
How Just 50 Votes Could Affect Armenia’s Parliament and Pashinyan’s Ability to Pass Key Laws
Armenia’s parliamentary election may have delivered a clear victory for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party, but the final composition of the next National Assembly — and the government’s ability to pursue key institutional reforms — could hinge on just a few dozen votes. Preliminary results from the June 7 election show Civil Contract winning 49.8% of the vote, followed by the Strong Armenia Alliance with 23.28% and the Armenia Alliance with 9.93%. T
Congratulations Pour In From European Leaders After Pashinyan’s Election Win
Congratulations from European and regional leaders poured in Monday after Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party secured victory in parliamentary elections, with many western officials framing the result as a reaffirmation of the country’s democratic trajectory and growing ties with Europe. Among the first to congratulate Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who linked the outcome to the pro-democracy movement that brought Pash
Pashinyan Wins Third Consecutive Term as Prime Minister, Opposition Questions Election Results
Armenia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has finalized preliminary results from all 2,005 polling stations in the country’s parliamentary election, showing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party securing enough support to govern alone for a third consecutive term. According to the CEC, Civil Contract won 727,160 votes, or 49.81% of ballots cast, placing it well ahead of its nearest challenger, the Strong Armenia Alliance, which received 340,062 votes, or 23.
Pashinyan Claims Victory With Less Than One-Third of Ballots Counted
Armenia's ruling Civil Contract party appeared headed toward a decisive victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declaring victory and announcing that his party would form the country’s next government even as vote counting was still underway. More than 1.4 million Armenians cast ballots in what was widely seen as one of the most consequential elections since the country’s 2020 war with Azerbaijan and the subsequent loss of Nagorno-Kara
A Complete Election Day Recap: Everything That Happened Before the Polls Closed and What You Need to Know Before the Results
Armenians voted Sunday in one of the country's most consequential parliamentary elections since the 2018 Velvet Revolution, with voters choosing between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's ruling Civil Contract party and a fragmented opposition seeking to end his eight-year hold on power. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. across the country. More than 2.4 million citizens were registered to vote in an election closely watched by domestic observers and the in
Police Raid Armenian Newsroom, Confiscate Unpublished Investigation Into Return of 300,000 Azerbaijanis Days Before Election
Just two days before Armenia's parliamentary elections, law enforcement authorities raided the offices of an opposition-linked media outlet, confiscating computers, phones, archives and an unpublished investigative report that journalists say examined one of the campaign's most controversial issues. Officers from Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) and the Investigative Committee spent more than five hours searching the newsroom of Armat Media on Friday, effectively pre
Pashinyan Demands Criminal Action Against Kocharyan, Tsarukyan Ahead of June 7 Vote
Civil Contract's prime ministerial candidate and incumbent Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan used a major campaign rally in Yerevan on Friday to intensify attacks on his political opponents, calling for criminal accountability against several opposition leaders just days before Armenia's parliamentary elections. Speaking to supporters gathered in Republic Square, Pashinyan accused opposition forces of seeking to undermine the country and urged voters to reject what he described
Armenia Charges Former Officials, Raids Opposition-Leaning Media Days Before Key Parliamentary Vote
Armenian authorities on Friday announced criminal charges against several prominent figures linked to the country's pre-2018 political establishment and conducted searches at the offices of an opposition-leaning news outlet, moves that have intensified scrutiny of the political climate just two days before a closely watched parliamentary election. Among those charged is former Yerevan mayor and transport minister Gagik Beglaryan, who faces accusations of money laundering and
Robert Kocharyan Tells Voters June 7 Election Will Decide Whether Armenia Remains an Armenian State
Armenia’s opposition Armenia Alliance, led by former President Robert Kocharyan, held its final campaign rally in Yerevan on Friday, presenting the June 7 parliamentary election as a decisive moment for the country’s sovereignty, security and future direction. Addressing supporters at the closing event, alliance leaders sharply criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government and argued that Armenia faces growing national security challenges during the next ongoing nego
Gagik Tsarukyan Leads Major Yerevan Rally, Says Armenians Have Become Disappointed After Eight Years of Pashinyan Rule
The opposition Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) staged a major campaign rally in Yerevan on Thursday, as supporters marched from the Matenadaran manuscript repository to Freedom Square ahead of Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7. Addressing the crowd, BHK leader Gagik Tsarukyan sharply criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government, arguing that public frustration has deepened after eight years of rule during economic hardship and political tensions. "Aft
Armenia Launches $5.4 Million Plan to Boost Exports to Europe, UK and Canada Following Russian Trade Restrictions
Armenia has approved a 2 billion-dram ($5.4 million) subsidy program to help exporters reach markets in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, while the European Union has pledged more than €50 million ($57 million) in emergency financial assistance to support the country's agricultural sector following a series of Russian trade restrictions on Armenian goods. The Armenian government approved the measure during its June 4 meeting, allocating compensation to expor
