Armenians began voting on Sunday in a parliamentary election that seems likely to bolster the country's pro-EU trajectory, despite Russia's anger at the course the government has taken.

The ruling Civil Contract party of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has the pro-Russia Strong Armenia party as its closest rival in the election, which is also seen as a referendum on Pashinyan's peace efforts with Azerbaijan.

Polls have shown Pashinyan and his party well in the lead with up to 32% support, compared with just 11% for Strong Armenia.

This seems to indicate some endorsement of Pashinyan's efforts to move Armenia closer to the West since he came to power in 2018, although he will not be able to govern alone if the poll results are confirmed.

In contrast, Strong Armenia, formed last year by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, wants Armenia to remain close to Russia, a key trading partner and energy supplier.

Police were reported by media to have searched the officies of Strong Armenia in the city of Gyumri and made several arrests.

What is Russia's stance on Armenia's election?

Yerevan's rapprochement with Europe has raised the ire of Russia, Armenia's former Soviet master.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin made veiled threats about the negative economic impact of a move away from Moscow if Armenia continued on its course.

In the weeks before the election, Russia has moved to make such theoretical economic threats more tangible by introducing new restrictions on Armenian produce including flowers and vegetables.

Putin also suggested that Armenia could suffer a similar crisis as the one in Ukraine, saying that Kyiv's problems "began with efforts to move toward EU accession." 

The EU has moved to counter what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called a case of "Moscow weaponizing economic relations for political pressure."

She pledged €50 million ($57.6 million) for the country as well as more relaxed trade conditions for goods targeted by Moscow.

Pashinyan's peace deal with Azerbaijan in focus

Despite still enjoying a lead in pre-election surveys, Pashinyan has come under fire from the opposition and some sectors of the public who have accused him of capitulating to Azerbaijan.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been embroiled in a long-running conflict since the 1980s, largely over Nagorno-Karabakh, ⁠a ​breakaway territory inhabited by ethnic Armenians that was retaken by Azerbaijan in a ​2023 war.

Critics say Pashinyan made too many concessions to Azerbaijan in a US-brokered agreement he signed last August.

He has also been accused of authoritarianism, with many of his opponents landing behind bars in recent years.

The government has defended its actions, saying those imprisoned were trying to foment coups.

On Sunday, police said they had detained more than 10 people on suspicion of vote-buying, while three members of a local electoral commission were also taken into custody overnight.

Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and will close at 8 p.m. Some 2.48 million people are registered to vote from a population of 3 million.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko

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