In Armenia's recent parliamentary elections, the ruling Civil Contract party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, secured a slim majority, marking a significant shift towards Europe and away from Russia. This victory is seen as a mandate for Pashinyan's efforts to establish peace with Azerbaijan and Turkey, as he emphasized the need for regional cooperation. The election comes on the heels of Armenia's loss of Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan, a defeat that has been a focal point of criticism against Pashinyan's leadership. Despite this, he has framed the loss as an opportunity to break free from a cycle of conflict and dependence on Russia. Pashinyan has also promised to maintain Armenia's membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union while strengthening ties with the West. However, he faces challenges, including the need for constitutional amendments to address territorial claims regarding Nagorno-Karabakh, and growing concerns about his increasingly authoritarian governance style. The election result is welcomed by European leaders, indicating Armenia's potential future integration with the EU, while Russia's influence appears to be diminishing amid economic pressures and disillusionment among the Armenian populace.