In the midst of a serious political crisis, Armenia elects a new parliament.
The choice points the way after the war over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, in which Azerbaijan recaptured territories.
Yerevan (AP) - Seven months after the war in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict region, the crisis-ridden South Caucasus Republic of Armenia is holding early parliamentary elections on Sunday.
More than 20 parties and blocks are allowed - more than ever before.
It is expected that the party civil contract of the ailing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenia bloc around the former president Robert Kocharyan will fight for the strongest force among themselves. Around 2.6 million people in the former Soviet republic are called to vote from 8:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. CEST) to 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. CEST).
“The outcome of the election is completely open. Anything can happen, ”said the political scientist Alexander Iskandarjan of the German Press Agency in Yerevan, referring to the heated atmosphere in the country. The situation has been tense for months because many people accuse Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of defeat and territorial losses in the war with Azerbaijan in the autumn. More than 6,500 people died. Armenia lost control of areas that Azerbaijan had recaptured in the 44-day war.
The vote also indirectly determines the future of a ceasefire agreement with Azerbaijan that was reached at the beginning of November through the mediation of Russia.
From Moscow's point of view, 46-year-old Pashinyan is a guarantee that the agreement will remain in place.
This also includes the stationing of around 2,000 Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Pashinyan had scheduled the new election under pressure from the opposition in order to find a way out of the crisis in the South Caucasus republic.
The former journalist, who came to power in the wake of the Velvet Revolution in 2018, had always refused to withdraw.
Pashinyan's main competitor Kocharyan himself comes from Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The 66-year-old wants to prevent Azerbaijan from expanding its control there.
President Armen Zarkissyan called for a peaceful vote.
After the election campaign with threats and insults, it is unacceptable that "the political and moral boundaries are being exceeded, that the situation is escalating and hatred and hostility are being stoked," he said on Saturday.
"The elections are taking place in a difficult crisis situation and are of decisive importance for our state and our people."
At least 101 members are elected for five years.
First results are expected late Sunday evening.
Armenia has closed borders with the warring states Azerbaijan and Turkey.
The borders are only open with Georgia and Iran.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210620-99-67052 / 2
