A new nationwide public opinion survey conducted by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research indicates that most Armenians expect the upcoming June 7 parliamentary elections to be free and fair, while support for closer ties with the European Union remains strong.

According to the survey, 71 percent of respondents said they believe the elections will be conducted fairly. Among them, 34 percent said the elections would “definitely” be free and fair, while another 37 percent said they would “probably” meet democratic standards.

“The data suggest that Armenians enter the election period with confidence in the process,” said Stephen Nix, Senior Director for Europe and Eurasia at International Republican Institute. “They are excited to cast their ballot in the June 7 elections.”

The findings also show continued public support for Armenia’s European integration agenda. Roughly three-quarters of respondents expressed support for Armenia potentially joining the European Union, including 38 percent who strongly support membership and 37 percent who somewhat support it.

The survey further points to growing public optimism about the country’s direction. Sixty-one percent of respondents said Armenia is heading in the right direction, an increase compared to polling conducted earlier in 2026.

The results come amid intensified political debate over Armenia’s geopolitical orientation, relations with Russia, and the government’s efforts to deepen cooperation with the EU through reforms, visa liberalization talks, and expanded political and security partnerships.

Pashinyan Outlines Vision of a “Peaceful and Prosperous” Armenia as Election Campaign Intensifies

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan presented his long-term vision for Armenia, describing a future centered on peace with Azerbaijan, economic growth, reopened regional infrastructure, and strengthened sovereignty as the country heads toward the June 7 parliamentary elections.

Speaking at a press briefing and campaign events for the ruling Civil Contract party, Pashinyan said he envisions Armenia in 10–15 years as “a democratic, free, independent, and prosperous state.”

“I envision a peaceful, sovereign Armenia,” he said. “I envision a peace agreement with Azerbaijan signed and ratified, border delimitation completed, and the roads reopened.”

According to the Armenian PM, Armenia’s economic future is closely tied to regional connectivity and the government’s broader “Crossroads of Peace” initiative, which aims to position Armenia as a regional transit hub linking the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Mediterranean through interconnected rail and transport corridors, including the TRIPP project.

“Fifteen years from now, I envision our gross domestic product at least doubled in real terms,” Pashinyan stated.

During campaign rallies, Pashinyan repeatedly framed the June 7 elections as a choice about preserving what he described as the first real peace Armenia has experienced since independence.

“Our main objective in these elections is to preserve that peace,” he said during an event in Dalarik, noting that for more than two years there have been no deaths or injuries reported on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. “Since independence, there had never been a single year without casualties on the border,” he added.

The Armenian PM also highlighted demographic and economic indicators that he said reflect positive changes under his administration.

According to Pashinyan, 2025 marked the first year in which immigration to Armenia exceeded emigration.

“In 2025, the number of citizens leaving Armenia was 8,660 fewer than the number of those arriving,” he said. “Emigration has stopped, and immigration has begun.”

Pashinyan also pointed to pension increases and military reforms as key achievements of his government. He said the minimum pension has effectively tripled since 2018, rising from 16,000 drams to 46,000 drams, while new housing guarantees are being introduced for military academy graduates serving as officers.

At the same time, Pashinyan dismissed calls for external guarantors to secure peace with Azerbaijan, arguing that Armenia’s previous reliance on alliances and formal security mechanisms had failed.

“Today there are political forces saying that we should have guarantors,” he said. “But we already lived in such a system.”

Referring indirectly to the Collective Security Treaty Organization and comments made by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko regarding the 2020 war, Pashinyan argued that Armenia must break the cycle of depending on outside actors for its security.

“We must overcome the cycle in which we allow others to use us against others and then discard us,” he said.

On unresolved territorial issues, Pashinyan reiterated that Armenia continues to regard Artsvashen as sovereign Armenian territory while emphasizing that all remaining disputes with Azerbaijan should be addressed through the delimitation process.

He also addressed the issue of Armenian refugees from places including Baku, Sumgait, Nakhchivan, and Nagorno-Karabakh, arguing that the future lies in consolidating Armenian statehood within internationally recognized borders.

“The strategic deal is this: the two countries focus on their internationally recognized territories,” Nikol Pashinyan said, calling for Armenia to move beyond what he described as a historical “logic of wandering and migration.”

The parliamentary election campaign officially began on May 8 and will continue through June 5, with 19 political forces competing in what is expected to be one of Armenia’s most consequential elections in recent years.

Russian Official Warns Armenia Against Balancing EU and EAEU Tracks

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said Armenia should make a clear choice between integration with the European Union and continued membership in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), arguing that the two paths are increasingly incompatible.

Speaking to reporters, Overchuk said Moscow believes Yerevan should clarify its strategic direction sooner rather than later, especially after Armenia adopted legislation supporting a future European integration agenda.

“Considering the statements and the legislation adopted in Armenia today, we would consider it right if Armenia decided on the matter of its choice regarding the EAEU or the EU,” Overchuk said.

At the same time, he stressed that Russia is not attempting to force Armenia out of the Eurasian bloc.

“No one is pushing Armenia out of the EAEU; it’s just that they have said they want to join the EU,” he stated. “There is a need to decide. The sooner this is done, the better it will be for everyone.”

Overchuk also delivered sharp criticism of the European Union, describing it as increasingly hostile toward Russia amid broader geopolitical tensions linked to the war in Ukraine and growing EU security cooperation.

“Of course, we cannot ignore this,” he said, referring to Armenia’s European aspirations. “Especially in the current situation, when the European Union is actually turning from an economic integration union into a military and political union that does not hide its hostile attitude towards our country.”

His remarks come as Armenia continues deepening ties with the EU through expanded political dialogue, visa liberalization talks, security cooperation, and reform programs, while formally remaining a member of the Eurasian Economic Union.