Local elections held in 21 Armenian communities
The article “Pashinyan Was Frightened by His Own Popularity” reports that the Civil Contract–Gortsarar bloc won 93.57% of the vote in Goris and 81.71% in Gavar. In Stepanavan, where the two parties ran separately, they received 35.32% and 41.54%, respectively.
In Yeghegnadzor, Civil Contract won 48.06% of the vote. The Republic party received 46.86%, trailing by 1.2 percentage points.
In Armavir, Vardenis, Garni, Akhuryan and Vayk, the incumbent authorities ran unopposed. According to the same article, observers were present at polling stations and electoral procedures were followed.
RIA Novosti reported that 20,000 people were unable to vote because of residency requirements. The agency also reported that candidates had been detained in Martuni and Yeghegnadzor ahead of the elections.
Nikol Pashinyan was dissatisfied with Civil Contract’s results of 70–90%, as such figures create an impression of authoritarianism. In the next elections, the party intends to work to ensure that it does not record results of around 90%.
The prime minister declared victory over the opposition, calling it a “spy” opposition. That description reflects Pashinyan’s position. He also voiced support for an opposition guided by the interests of the state.