Media: Armenia’s Pashinyan eyes European People’s Party membership

Fresh from a decisive election win in Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is reportedly in talks to bring his Civil Contract party into the European People’s Party (EPP), Euractiv has learned.

While no formal decision has been taken and a timeline has not yet been confirmed, Pashinyan has signalled interest in joining the pan-European centre-right political family. The EPP could reportedly consider approving Civil Contract’s membership later this year.

Several other parties are also expected to join the EPP, including Hungary’s Tisza party, Denmark’s Liberal Alliance, Czechia’s STAN, and Montenegro’s ruling Europe Now Movement (PES). PES leader Milojko Spajić attended an EPP enlargement event in Sarajevo on June 7.

The developments come after parliamentary elections in Armenia were held on June 7. According to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission covering all 2,005 polling stations, Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party secured 49.825% of the vote.

Russian oligarch Samvel Karapetyan’s “Strong Armenia” bloc received 23.281%, while former President Robert Kocharyan’s “Armenia” bloc won 9.934%.

Businessman Gagik Tsarukyan’s “Prosperous Armenia” party gained 3.996% and failed to enter parliament.

Voter turnout was reported at 58.97%, according to official preliminary data.

By Sabina Mammadli