Armenia Domestic

With the election just one day away, hopeful candidates have been giving one last push to secure votes in what has been referred to as the most inclusive domestic political process of the modern Republic of Armenia. With 25 political entities and all three former presidents competing – and one poll suggesting that as much as 30% of eligible voters were this week yet undecided – what have the leading campaigns been saying up to election weekend? 

Sunday's parliamentary elections in Armenia are hotly contested, and the electorate is actively engaged in the campaigning. However, every possible outcome of the elections appears to lead to more uncertainty, and does not guarantee domestic stability, argues Benyamin Poghosyan in this op-ed.

Relations with Azerbaijan will be the key foreign policy issue faced by the new government, regardless of the outcome of the election. It will need to clarify its stance towards the future of the unrecognised Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic (NKR), the demarcation and delimitation of borders with Azerbaijan, and the opening up of regional transport and communication routes in line with the 10 November 2020, and 11 January 2021, trilateral statements of the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Russian leaders. In reality, all three issues are intertwined, and a decision on any of them will impact the fate of others.