The pre-electoral delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called on Armenian authorities to ensure that the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026 are held in a climate free from intimidation, foreign interference and abuse of administrative resources.
Following a two-day visit to Yerevan on 11–12 May, the delegation voiced concern over what it described as the increasingly sophisticated and systemic nature of foreign interference in Armenia’s political and information environment.
According to the delegation, external influence has gone beyond traditional disinformation campaigns and now includes illicit political financing, cyberattacks, economic pressure and attempts to manipulate the electoral process. These hybrid tactics, it said, are aimed not only at influencing public opinion but also at gaining long-term geopolitical leverage over Armenia.
The delegation said it had been informed about alleged requests by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan regarding facilitating voting by members of the Armenian diaspora from Russia. It also heard allegations that financial incentives had been offered by the main opposition party to encourage diaspora Armenians in Russia to travel to Armenia and vote.
PACE stressed that foreign interference represents a continuing and evolving threat extending beyond election day. At the same time, the delegation also noted what it described as declarative support for the ruling party from certain Western partners.
While welcoming Armenia’s existing legal and regulatory mechanisms aimed at countering undue influence, the delegation said additional efforts are needed to tackle covert and cross-border threats. It called for stronger institutional capacity, enhanced co-ordination among state agencies and greater transparency in political financing.
The delegation also raised concerns about growing disinformation campaigns targeting journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organizations. It warned that accusations branding activists and media representatives as “foreign agents” undermine public trust and narrow civic space.
PACE further expressed concern over increasing legal pressure on civil society actors and journalists, including strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), saying such practices could discourage democratic engagement and limit freedom of expression.
Among other issues highlighted by the delegation were political polarization, low trust in institutions, declining political engagement among young people, allegations of misuse of administrative resources, voter pressure, unregulated third-party campaigning and vote-buying disguised as charitable activity.
The delegation also noted what it described as the unprecedented involvement of the Armenian Apostolic Church in political processes.
Concerns were additionally raised regarding transparency and accountability in campaign financing, particularly after recent legislative amendments increasing donation limits without fully addressing oversight shortcomings.
During the visit, the delegation met with Armenian officials, representatives of parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties, members of the Central Election Commission, anti-corruption and justice officials, representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), diplomats, journalists and civil society representatives.
The delegation welcomed efforts by Armenia’s Central Election Commission and the Information Systems Agency to strengthen cybersecurity and improve election-related training.
PACE urged Armenian authorities to intensify efforts in the remaining weeks before the vote to protect the electoral process from foreign interference and guarantee equal conditions for all political forces. It also encouraged civil society organizations to continue monitoring and promoting democratic standards.
The Assembly confirmed that it will deploy a full-scale election observation mission for the 7 June parliamentary elections alongside observers from ODIHR, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament.
