Armenia's parliamentary elections have concluded, and the official vote count has commenced following the closure of polls at 20:00 local time. The voter turnout was reported to be higher than in the 2021 elections but lower than in previous years, specifically 2012 and 2017. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who leads the pro-Western Civil Contract party, shared a video message expressing his optimism for a successful outcome. In contrast, the pro-Russian opposition, represented by Narek Karapetyan of the Strong Armenia party, claimed an early lead based on unofficial exit polls, suggesting that the high turnout could indicate a loss for Pashinyan. This election is pivotal for Armenia and the South Caucasus region, especially as Russia has issued warnings about a potential “Ukraine scenario” in Armenia. Meanwhile, the EU and the US have shown support for Pashinyan's cautious pro-West pivot following a historic peace agreement with Azerbaijan, highlighting the significance of this electoral outcome for regional stability and future alliances.