Armenia's pro-Russian opposition may now hold the key to Pashinyan's peace deal with Baku
He won — with a caveat. Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party took 49.8% of the vote, enough to secure a parliamentary majority and form a government without coalition partners, but short of the supermajority needed to call a referendum on constitutional amendments. Pashinyan needs that referendum to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan: Baku is demanding that Yerevan strip its Constitution of all references to reunification with Nagorno-Karabakh. At 65% or above, Civil Contract could have called the vote unilaterally. Instead, the party will have to court allies among Armenia’s pro-Russian opposition that has no interest in holding such a vote.
Armenia’s pro-Russian opposition may now hold the key to Pashinyan’s peace deal with Baku Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party won the Armenian election with 49.8% of the vote, securing a parliamentary majority but falling short of the supermajority needed to unilaterally call a referendum on constitutional amendments. Pashinyan requires this referendum to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, which demands the removal of references to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia’s constitution. The party will now have to seek support from the pro-Russian opposition, who are disinclined to hold such a vote.
- Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party won the election with 49.8% of the vote.
- This result grants a parliamentary majority but not the supermajority needed for a unilateral referendum.
- The referendum is crucial for signing a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, which requires constitutional changes.
- Armenia’s economy remains heavily dependent on Russia, influencing Pashinyan’s foreign policy decisions.
- Despite Russian pressure, Pashinyan intends to maintain ties with both the West and Russia.
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