Armenian election lays way for 'revolutionary' project

Significance

Pashinyan promises radical changes at home but continuity in foreign policy after his alliance won a landslide victory in a December 9 parliamentary election that legitimised the revolutionary transition of power he has led this year. Before the street protests that brought Pashinyan to power in May, the Republican Party's ruling position seemed unassailable. Now it has failed to win enough votes to be awarded seats in parliament.

Impacts

• The peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections is a substantial positive step and may set a positive precedent.
• Pashinyan's alliance has five years of parliamentary dominance to pursue reforms.
• Moscow and Yerevan will eye one another nervously for months or years, watching for signs of policy change.