“Milestone” elections kicks off in Armenia: International media coverage

The parliamentary elections launched in Armenia on April 2 are in the spotlight of international media. A number of foreign media outlets state that the election will be a milestone for Armenia.

RT writes over 2.5 million Armenians are eligible to vote, as well as 900 citizens living abroad, including diplomatic and military servicemen. “The poll forms part of Armenia’s transition to a parliamentary system. According to the changes adopted after the referendum in December 2015, Armenia’s current leader, President Serzh Sargsyan, will become the last president elected in a national vote. After his term expires next year, a ceremonial head of state will be appointed by parliament and will only have representative authority. Parliament itself is elected for a five-year term and will become the main authority in the republic”, the news agency writes. It also says that prominent US musician and political activist of Armenian descent, Serj Tankian of the System of a Down music band is among the independent international observers.

The Washington Post draws attention on the fact that after the constitutional changes Armenia holds parliamentary election. “Polls prior to the vote showed the Republican Party of Armenia’s president, Serzh Sargsyan, in the lead, closely followed by a bloc led by businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, one of Armenia’s richest men”, The Washington Post writes.

Al-Jazeera also covers the parliamentary election stating: “Sunday’s election is expected to be a close race between the majority-wielding Republican Party of Armenia, backed by President Serzh Sargsyan, and an alliance of businessman and former world champion arm wrestler Gagik Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia party. The poll election is a key democratic test for the small landlocked nation of 2.9 million, which has no history of transfers of power to an opposition through the ballot box”, the news agency wrote.

Daily Star highlights that the parliamentary election is going to be a “milestone” for Armenia.

Deutsche Welle and Business Standard also reected on Armenia’s parliamentary election.