Armenia Has Voted: A new impetus for democratic progress?

On 7 June, parliamentary elections were held in Armenia that are of crucial importance for the country's democratic and European future as well as for peace in the region.

Once hailed as the hero of the 2018 Velvet Revolution, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has squandered considerable political capital in recent years. Nevertheless, he entered the campaign with confidence and secured a majority. Two opposition alliances made it into parliament, both dominated by the familiar, financially powerful elites from the pre-"Velvet Revolution" era. A new and influential player had emerged within their ranks in the form of the Armenian-Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan, who enjoys the public backing of the Kremlin. The agenda of this opposition is aimed at preventing Armenia's integration into the EU and restoring Russia's role as the indispensable number-one alliance partner.

The normalisation of relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, the reorientation of Armenian policy towards Russia, and integration into the EU featured prominently on Pashinyan's electoral agenda. The European Political Community summit and the first EU-Armenia summit held in Yerevan in early May underscored this direction with considerable emphasis. On the domestic front, the Prime Minister was able to score points with major infrastructure projects, improvements to the socioeconomic situation, and the modernisation of the armed forces. Far more contentious were his own polarising political communication style and the debate he initiated on a new Armenian identity and on the need to close the chapter of the Karabakh movement.

The election campaign was deeply polarised and revolves primarily around foreign policy issues - in particular the negotiation and peace process with Azerbaijan and the troubled relationship with Russia. As a result, the shortcomings of Armenia's young democracy were pushed into the background. 
 

In a panel discussion, we will assess the election results together with experts from Armenia. We warmly invite you to join us.

• Elections as a test of democracy: Has Armenia passed the test?
• What comes next? What are the prospects for a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, the Armenian-Turkish dialogue, and the TRIPP project?
• Will Armenia continue on its path of EU integration and gradual emancipation from Russia - and what obstacles still stand in the way?
• In light of the new political realities, should EU and German policy towards Armenia be adjusted?

With:

• Anahide Pilibossian, Vice President of Strategy and Development, APRI Armenia
• Arsen Kharatyan, Political Analyst, Editor-in-Chief of Aliq Media
• Samvel Meliksetian, Political analyst and expert, Armenian Council
• Sergey Lagodinsky,  Member of the European Parliament, The Greens/EFA, Chair of the EuroNest Parliamentary Assembly

Moderation: Irina Ghulinyan-Gerz, Heinrich-Böll-Foundation Berlin
 

With German-English translation. 

Contact: 
Irina Ghulinyan-Gerz
Programme officer East and Sout East Europe
E Irina.Ghulinyan-Gerz@boell.de

Alternatively, you can follow the event via livestream without registering.
>> Livestream in original audio
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