Armenian PM Pashinyan's Party Wins Parliamentary Elections with Near-Majority

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party secured nearly 50 percent of the vote in parliamentary elections, giving the party enough support to form a government independently. The victory allows Pashinyan to maintain control of parliament and continue his leadership of the South Caucasus nation. However, pro-Russian opposition parties strengthened their positions in the election, indicating growing political polarization in Armenia. The results reflect ongoing tensions between Armenia's pro-Western government under Pashinyan and opposition forces aligned with Russia, Armenia's traditional ally and security partner.