Armenia Election

Armenians are voting in parliamentary elections as the government seeks to loosen ties with Moscow and increase cooperation with the West. Two political blocs and 17 parties are running in the election Sunday. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his ruling party are looking for a strong mandate for a new geopolitical course. Most experts predict Pashinyan will come out ahead, but opposition parties support closer ties with Russia and some are vocally pro-Russian. Russian officials recently have imposed restrictions on Armenian exports while high-ranking officials including President Vladimir Putin have made veiled threats.