Author: Emil Lazarian

The world’s largest international floriculture marketplace is opening its doors to Armenian flower producers, connecting them with buyers across Europe and beyond.

The announcement was made by Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen in a post on X. The Dutch foreign minister said that the Netherlands supports the European Union assistance package for Armenia announced earlier by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“The Netherlands stands behind the EU support package announced by European Commission President Von der Leyen, and has also explored how to contribute with practical support for affected sectors, such as Armenian flowers.

As a result, Royal Flora Holland is now opening its marketplace to Armenian flower producers, connecting them with buyers across Europe and beyond. The Netherlands underlines the importance of free and fair elections as the foundation of a stable, democratic future. One that Armenia itself determines,” wrote the Dutch foreign minister.

Russia has banned imports of Armenian flowers. In addition to flowers, Russia had imposed restrictions on several other Armenian products ahead of the parliamentary elections in Armenia. In particular, imports of Jermuk mineral water, fish products and certain alcoholic beverages were banned, while restrictions were also introduced on imports of Armenian fruit and vegetable products. In that context, the European Union announced a support package for Armenia, including more than 50 million euros in immediate assistance, as well as additional measures aimed at expanding export opportunities for Armenian products and facilitating trade.

Voting in Armenia’s parliamentary elections has concluded, with all 2,005 polling stations across the country closing at 8:00 p.m., including nine polling stations operating in penitentiary institutions.

The vote-counting process has now begun.

As of 5:00 p.m., 1,224,957 voters, or 48.92% of Armenia’s 2,503,976 eligible voters, had cast their ballots.

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) publishes voter turnout data every three hours. Turnout figures as of the close of polling are scheduled to be released at 9:00 p.m.

During the voting process, 4,000 technical devices were used for the electronic registration of voters. Cameras providing live streaming were installed at 1,758 polling stations – those serving 300 or more voters.

Of the country’s polling stations, 612 out of 1,996 were accessible to voters with mobility impairments.

A total of 71 domestic media outlets and approximately 180 representatives of foreign media organizations were accredited to cover the elections and the voting process.

To monitor the elections, 13 domestic and eight international observer missions were accredited.

In addition, representatives from 35 diplomatic and consular missions accredited in Armenia observed the elections with visitor status, alongside representatives from 14 electoral bodies.

A total of 18 political forces – including 16 political parties and two electoral alliances – were registered to participate in the parliamentary elections.

Romanos Petrosyan, the temporary manager of Electric Networks of Armenia, has stated that all polling stations across the country are currently supplied with uninterrupted electricity.

Petrosyan made the statement in a post on his Facebook page. “I consider it necessary to emphasize that all polling stations in Armenia are now closed, and the ballots cast during the voting process are already inside sealed ballot boxes.

Accordingly, in the event of any power outages in the coming hours, teams consisting of around 2,000 Electric Networks of Armenia employees currently on duty will promptly eliminate the consequences of the outage and restore electricity supply to all affected locations in the shortest possible time.

It is noteworthy that until any possible outages are resolved, all polling stations are equipped with the necessary flashlights and backup power sources. In addition, representatives of all competing political forces, including their authorized proxies, are physically present at the respective locations in the immediate vicinity of the sealed ballot boxes,” Petrosyan wrote.

He also assured that electricity has already been restored at a number of polling stations where power disruptions had been recorded.

As of 20:00 on June 7, 2026, a total of 59 criminal proceedings have been initiated in connection with alleged election-related offences within the subdivisions of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, including 43 in regional investigative units and 16 in Yerevan-based divisions.

According to the statement made by the Investigative Committee of Armenia, nine criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 210 of the Criminal Code (obstruction of the exercise of electoral rights or participation in elections or referendums, or of the exercise of the rights and duties).

A further 30 criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 214 of the Criminal Code (multiple voting or voting on behalf of another person). Seventeen criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 215 of the Criminal Code (violation of the secrecy of the vote).

In addition, three criminal proceedings have been launched under Article 314 of the Criminal Code (spreading false information about terrorism).

Within the framework of the criminal proceedings, nine individuals have been detained.

The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his party’s victory in the parliamentary elections.

The Armenian Prime Minister’s Office cited Tokayev as saying in a letter that, according to preliminary data from the majority of international observers, the elections were conducted in accordance with the country’s current electoral legislation, in an open manner, and under proper conditions ensuring citizens’ free _expression_ of will.

The President of Kazakhstan wished Pashinyan continued success in his work for the long-term national interests of Armenia.

He also stated that Kazakhstan is ready to “continue active cooperation with friendly Armenia in all areas of mutual interest.”

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev wished the Armenian people success in the development of the state, as well as peace and prosperity.

The Central Electoral Commission has released the preliminary results of the vote count from all 2,005 polling stations in the parliamentary elections, showing that the ruling party will hold a majority. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party garnered the most votes — 727,160, or 49.81%.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan congratulated citizens on the results of the parliamentary elections, saying that the people upheld peace and stood up for the future. He made the remarks in parliament, at a joint committee session on his administration’s 2025 budget report. He said that the Strong Armenia bloc, Armenia bloc, and the Prosperous Armenia party, whom he described as the “tripartite war party,” have been crushed. Preliminary vote count results showed that all three will have seats in parliament.

“I want first of all to congratulate the people of the Republic of Armenia on winning as a result of the elections held on June 7, 2026. By their vote, the people of Armenia upheld the state, stood up for independence, for the future, for peace, and for the Republic of Armenia itself.

And I must note that the tripartite war party has been crushed. This is an important, but not final result, because I believe the people have clearly expressed their will that the tripartite war party and the criminal-oligarchic system accompanying it must be eradicated from the Republic of Armenia. And, of course, this will be one of the most important agendas of the political majority and the government, which we must implement without delay and with very decisive and firm steps.

I also want to congratulate the ‘Civil Contract’ party on its victory. The Civil Contract party will have a parliamentary majority and will form the government, and in the coming months we will have the opportunity to discuss this topic,” Pashinyan said.

The Central Electoral Commission has released the preliminary results of the vote count from all 2,005 polling stations in the parliamentary elections. 

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party garnered the most votes — 727,160, or 49.81%.

Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia is the runner-up with 340,062 votes, or 23.29%, followed by ex-President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance, which garnered 145,097 votes, or 9.94%. Gagik Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia party received the 4% required to overcome the threshold, with 58,368 votes.

President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the Civil Contract party’s election victory.

“Congratulations, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, on your resounding electoral victory! Armenia has chosen its own democratic path despite threats and intimidation. Latvia stands firmly with you and supports ever closer relations between Armenia and the European Union,” the Latvian President said in a post on X.

The Central Electoral Commission released the preliminary results of the vote count from all 2,005 polling stations in the June 7 parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party received the most votes — 727,160, or 49.81%.

Armenia’s state budget revenues for 2025 reached 2.886 trillion drams, an 11% increase over 2024, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told lawmakers on Monday.

Speaking at a joint committee session in parliament on his administration’s budget report, Pashinyan said the figure represents a 2.3-fold increase compared to 2017. He also highlighted the rise in capital spending and expressed gratitude to taxpayers and businesses.

“The revenues of the state budget of Armenia for 2025 amounted to 2 trillion 886 billion 500 million drams, which is 307 billion drams, or 11%, higher than the 2024 figure, and 2.3 times, or 1 trillion 648.8 billion drams, higher than the 2017 figure. This is a particularly noteworthy indicator because it shows that, compared to 2017, the revenue portion of the 2025 state budget has doubled, representing an increase of about 135%.

I believe this is a very important indicator, and I want to once again express my gratitude to all citizens working in Armenia, producing results, and paying legally mandated taxes, as well as to those citizens and businesses who issue and request receipts. I have repeatedly said that the budget of the Republic of Armenia is our shared family budget, and each of us should demonstrate this kind of respect toward it,” Pashinyan said.

He added that state budget expenditures have also increased significantly, totaling 3 trillion 305 billion drams—more than double the 2017 figure, marking a 120% rise.

“Particular attention should be paid to the fact that capital expenditures within these expenditures have grown substantially—by 190%. I believe this is especially significant because these expenditures fund the visible programs we discuss and take pride in implementing.”

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his electoral victory, highlighting that the EU deeply values its partnership with Armenia.

“Dear Nikol Pashinyan, congratulations on your electoral victory. The spirit of the Velvet Revolution you led in 2018 is alive and well. We deeply value our partnership with a democratic Armenia that is drawing ever closer to Europe. Armenia can count on us,” the President of the European Commission said in a post on X.

The Central Electoral Commission has released the preliminary results of the vote count from all polling stations in the parliamentary elections held on June 7.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party garnered the most votes—727,160, or 49.81%. Samvel Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia came in second with 340,062 votes, or 23.29%, followed by former President Robert Kocharyan’s Armenia Alliance, which received 145,097 votes, or 9.94%. Gagik Tsarukyan’s Prosperous Armenia party received 58,368 votes, surpassing the 4% threshold.

President of the European Council António Costa has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his electoral victory.

“The people of Armenia have voted for a future built on peace, stability and stronger cooperation with their neighbours and the world,” Costa said in a post on X. “Congratulations to Nikol Pashinyan on the results. You can be proud of your role in strengthening Armenia’s resilience, stability and prosperity. Together, the EU and Armenia are building stronger links between people and creating new opportunities in energy, trade, and digitalization. Our strong partnership is an investment in a more peaceful and prosperous future for the region as a whole.”