IRI poll shows Armenians continue to focus on security and peace

A nationwide poll conducted by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) shows that security and peace are the top issues in Armenia, with national security and border issues cited as the top response by a plurality of respondents (35 percent) when asked what the main problems facing their country.

“Security and peace are clearly the main issues on the minds of Armenians,” said Stephen Nix, Senior Director for Europe and Eurasia at IRI.

A plurality of 47 percent of respondents support the peace treaty being negotiated with Azerbaijan. Additionally, a majority of respondents (55 percent) are satisfied with assistance the government has provided to displaced Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh.

“The data clearly shows that the public views the Pashinyan government’s efforts to assist refugees from Nagorno Karabakh positively,” stated Nix.

The survey also found signs of increasing political disengagement among young Armenians, with 37 percent of youth (age 18 to 35) responding that they would not vote if national parliamentary elections were held next Sunday.

According to Nix, “The government should undertake serious efforts to involve Armenian youth in the political and electoral processes.”