UMVA has learned that a high-stakes election in Armenia is set to determine the country's future, with Prime Minister Pashinyan's government caught in a delicate balancing act between preserving economic ties with Russia and reaping the benefits of EU integration.
The stakes are clear: Pashinyan's plan has drawn a stern warning from Moscow, which has made it clear that it will not tolerate such an approach, and that Armenia risks losing free access to the Russian market, affordable energy, and preferential treatment for its guest workers if it pursues closer ties with the EU.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Russian officials have urged Armenian voters to be clear-eyed about the fine print, essentially leaving it up to them to decide their country's future. But with the EU preparing a €50 million support package to help Armenia cope with what European Commission President described as "economic coercion" by Russia, the choice is far from simple.
The opposition is united in its call for friendly or neutral relations with Russia, with the three leading parties all advocating for a softer stance towards Moscow. But with Pashinyan's party currently leading in the polls, it's unclear which path the country will ultimately choose.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that polls show a large percentage of voters remain undecided, with support for Pashinyan's Civil Contract party varying wildly depending on the survey. With under 2.5 million eligible voters and no voting allowed abroad, the outcome is far from certain.
A recent survey showed that 76.7% of Armenian citizens intend to participate in the election, suggesting that they are acutely aware of the high stakes involved. As the country heads to the polls, one thing is clear: the decision made on Sunday will have far-reaching consequences for Armenia's future.
