Parliamentary elections mark 'historical moment' for Armenia, expert says

Article excerpt

Armenia holds parliamentary elections that could fundamentally alter its geopolitical alignments, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pushing to normalize relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan after decades of conflict. The vote represents a "historic moment" for the country, according to Ulrich Schmid, a professor of Eastern European studies, because it will determine whether Armenia pivots toward the West or maintains its traditional ties to Russia. Pashinyan's strategy of reconciliation with former adversaries marks a dramatic shift in Armenian foreign policy, one that could reshape the region's power dynamics.