Armenian opposition candidate warns of pressure tactics ahead of vote

An Armenian opposition politician on Monday accused the country's ruling party of preparing pressure tactics ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections, warning supporters to be ready for potential challenges in the final days of the campaign.

Suren Surenyants, chairman of the Democratic Alternative Party and a parliamentary candidate on the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) ticket, made the remarks following a televised debate on Armenia's Public Television.

Surenyants said opposition parties had successfully challenged the government's record through policy proposals and campaign messaging, arguing that the ruling Civil Contract party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, had run out of political arguments.

He alleged that members of the ruling party had repeatedly signaled plans for reprisals and other measures in the days leading up to the vote.

"The authorities, facing defeat, may resort to any mean tactic," Surenyants said. "We must be prepared for different scenarios and ready to respond to any challenge."

Surenyants further claimed that efforts to orchestrate pressure and intimidation appeared to originate within the ruling party's leadership structures.

Calling for vigilance, he said responsibility for safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process rested not only with opposition forces but with Armenian society as a whole.