Armenians divided over whether opposition should enter parliament or hold protests

Armenians voiced differing opinions on the opposition's next steps following Sunday's parliamentary elections, with some urging opposition groups to take up their parliament seats and others calling for street protests challenging the outcome.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party won the elections, according to official results.

In a street survey conducted by Panorama.am on Tuesday, respondents were asked whether opposition alliances and parties that surpassed the electoral threshold should take up their parliament seats or focus instead on challenging the results through demonstrations.

Some said the decision should be left to the opposition leaders themselves.

"I don't know what position they're in or how they view the situation," one respondent said. "They should do what they believe is right. I can't advise them, though if I were in their place, I would know what to do."

Others argued that the opposition should participate in parliament.

"I think they should take up the seats. Why give them up?" one respondent said.

"They should definitely accept the mandates," another added.

Several respondents, however, called for political pressure outside the legislature.

"They need to keep fighting," one man said, expressing doubt about the election outcome. "Nothing will be resolved by simply sitting in parliament."

Another respondent said the opposition should continue its struggle, while a third replied succinctly: "Only street protests."