Armenians Vote in Parliamentary Elections
YEREVAN (AFP) -- Armenians voted Sunday in parliamentary elections triggered years ahead of schedule by reformist leader Nikol Pashinyan, who is aiming to cement his political authority in the post-Soviet country.
The 43-year-old former journalist became prime minister in May after spearheading weeks of peaceful anti-government rallies that ousted veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian.
He has pledged to root out endemic corruption and address widespread poverty, earning him supporters in the impoverished landlocked nation of about three million people.
Pashinyan's reform drive had been stalled for months by opposition from Sarkisian's ruling party, which dominated the National Assembly until his calculated resignation triggered parliament's dissolution last month.
At a polling station in central Yerevan voters expressed optimism about the political change promised by Pashinyan and vented their anger at former corrupt officials.
Voter 52-year-old painter Garnik Arakelyan said: "I want all those corrupt officials who for many years were robbing and humiliating people to be jailed."
Pashinyan's party is expected to get a majority in the new legislature, allowing him to push ahead with his campaign to reshape the South Caucasus nation's political landscape and spark an "economic revolution".
Last week, Pashinyan -- who is acting prime minister -- promised "the best elections Armenia has ever seen," without ballot stuffing or voter intimidation.
Analysts say Pashinyan sought new elections while he is at the peak of his popularity.
In September, his bloc had a landslide victory in municipal elections, winning more than 80 percent of the vote in the capital Yerevan, where nearly 40 percent of the former Soviet Republic's population lives.
"The elections were called on the wave of a revolutionary euphoria," Poghosyan told AFP. "But after the polls, that sentiment will inevitably weaken and Pashinyan and his team will face a reality check."
On foreign policy, Pashinyan has said Armenia will "further strengthen (our) strategic alliance with Russia and, at the same time, step up cooperation with the United States and European Union".
Nine political parties and two electoral blocs are competing for mandates in the 101-seat National Assembly.
The 43-year-old former journalist became prime minister in May after spearheading weeks of peaceful anti-government rallies that ousted veteran leader Serzh Sarkisian.
He has pledged to root out endemic corruption and address widespread poverty, earning him supporters in the impoverished landlocked nation of about three million people.
Pashinyan's reform drive had been stalled for months by opposition from Sarkisian's ruling party, which dominated the National Assembly until his calculated resignation triggered parliament's dissolution last month.
At a polling station in central Yerevan voters expressed optimism about the political change promised by Pashinyan and vented their anger at former corrupt officials.
Voter 52-year-old painter Garnik Arakelyan said: "I want all those corrupt officials who for many years were robbing and humiliating people to be jailed."
Pashinyan's party is expected to get a majority in the new legislature, allowing him to push ahead with his campaign to reshape the South Caucasus nation's political landscape and spark an "economic revolution".
Last week, Pashinyan -- who is acting prime minister -- promised "the best elections Armenia has ever seen," without ballot stuffing or voter intimidation.
Analysts say Pashinyan sought new elections while he is at the peak of his popularity.
In September, his bloc had a landslide victory in municipal elections, winning more than 80 percent of the vote in the capital Yerevan, where nearly 40 percent of the former Soviet Republic's population lives.
"The elections were called on the wave of a revolutionary euphoria," Poghosyan told AFP. "But after the polls, that sentiment will inevitably weaken and Pashinyan and his team will face a reality check."
On foreign policy, Pashinyan has said Armenia will "further strengthen (our) strategic alliance with Russia and, at the same time, step up cooperation with the United States and European Union".
Nine political parties and two electoral blocs are competing for mandates in the 101-seat National Assembly.