Bulgaria’s prime minister congratulates Nikol Pashinyan on election victory

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev has congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections held on 7 June.

The Bulgarian government’s press service announced the news.

“I congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his victory in the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on 7 June,” the message reads.

The Bulgarian prime minister also expressed hope that cooperation between the two countries would continue to develop.

“I look forward to close cooperation between Bulgaria and Armenia to further strengthen our excellent relations in all areas of mutual interest,” Radev said.

Parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on 7 June. According to preliminary results, three political forces have secured seats in parliament: the Civil Contract party, with 727,827 votes, or 49.825 per cent, which on the strength of its result will hold a parliamentary majority and form a government; the Strong Armenia alliance, with 340,088 votes, or 23.281 per cent; and the Armenia Alliance, with 145,113 votes, or 9.934 per cent. According to preliminary data, the Prosperous Armenia party is also very close to the four per cent threshold required to enter parliament, having received 3.996 per cent. The party had already announced that it would apply to the Central Electoral Commission for a recount at a number of polling stations. Other political forces had also called for a recount.