Nikol Pashinyan’s election victory has given Armenia a renewed mandate to deepen ties with Europe and pursue peace with its neighbors, but it has not removed the political constraints facing Yerevan. Amanda Paul, deputy head of the Europe in the World Program at the European Policy Center in Brussels, and Rikard Jozwiak, Europe editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, told TVP World’s “Wider View” program that the result was a clear win for Pashinyan, though not a blank check. Preliminary results showed Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party winning just under 50% of the vote, ahead of the Russia‑leaning Strong Armenia bloc and the Armenia Alliance. Paul said the result reflected both Pashinyan’s strong campaign and the weakness of Armenia’s fragmented opposition. She argued that voters rewarded his pragmatic approach after years of upheaval, including Armenia’s defeat by Azerbaijan over Nagorno‑Karabakh and his decision to pursue a peace settlement despite domestic criticism. A difficult peace test Jozwiak called the outcome “a triumph,” but warned that Pashinyan did not secure the constitutional majority needed to easily amend Armenia’s basic law, which Baku has signaled is one of its conditions before a final peace deal. That issue may also shape prospects for normalizing relations with Turkey and reopening a border that has been closed to most traffic for decades. Paul said such a breakthrough could bring major economic benefits and help Armenia further reduce its dependence on Russia. Still, both guests noted that Yerevan cannot afford an abrupt break with Moscow. Armenia remains economically and energetically exposed to Russia, even as the EU offers aid, trade openings and a longer‑term path toward closer integration, including visa liberalization talks. “This is a project that takes years,” Jozwiak said.
