‘Armenia drawing ever closer to Europe,’ says von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Monday after his Civil Contract party secured 49.81% of the vote in parliamentary elections, saying Armenia was moving closer to Europe.

Preliminary results released by Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission showed the Civil Contract party in a position to hold a parliamentary majority after ballots from all 2,005 polling stations were counted, state news agency Armenpress reported.

“We deeply value our partnership with a democratic Armenia that is drawing ever closer to Europe,” von der Leyen wrote on the U.S.-based social media platform X. “Armenia can count on us.”

She also referred to the 2018 political movement that brought Pashinyan to power.

“The spirit of the Velvet Revolution you led in 2018 is alive and well,” von der Leyen said.

Pashinyan declares ‘historic victory’

Pashinyan declared victory early Monday while vote counting was still underway, saying Civil Contract would form the next government.

“Civil Contract has won and will form the government,” Pashinyan told reporters.

He described the result as a “historic victory that will ensure Armenia’s eternity and development.”

At the time of his declaration, 23.5% of precincts had reported. Civil Contract held 52.5% of the vote, while Strong Armenia, backed by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, had 23.2%, according to the Central Election Commission.

Former President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance had received 9.3%, while the Prosperous Armenia party had 4.6%. Both had cleared the electoral threshold at that stage of the count.

Turnout stood at 59%.

Armenian Prime Minister and leader of the Civil Contract party Nikol Pashinyan holds a press conference following the parliamentary election at the party's headquarters in Yerevan, Armenia, June 8, 2026. (AFP Photo)

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Pashinyan declares victory as rival exit polls split on Armenia's parliamentary vote

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Early exit polls showed conflicting results

Pashinyan declared victory as exit polls presented sharply different estimates and opposition parties alleged widespread electoral violations.

An exit poll conducted for Civil Contract put the party at 56.7%.

A separate independent poll placed Civil Contract at 32.7% and showed opposition parties receiving a combined share of about 53%.

The final preliminary count from all polling stations later placed Civil Contract at 49.81%, according to the Central Electoral Commission.

June 08, 2026 12:52 PM GMT+03:00