Armenian leader wins polls but more reliant on Russia

Significance

Pashinyan has won despite numerous reverses, chief among them the disastrous war in Nagorno-Karabakh of September-November 2020. Civil Contract's unexpectedly wide margin of victory in the June 20 parliamentary election drew allegations of ballot-rigging.

Impacts

• Pashinyan's orders to police to avoid violence against protesters should reduce the risk of street unrest.
• Western election observers may wish to review methods: this is the second time, after Georgia, their judgement clashes with the opposition.
• Net emigration has risen this year and its scale presents threats to economic growth.