Armenia

Political Party Development

Since 2006, the International Republican Institute (IRI) has conducted national survey research to assist democratic political parties in enhancing their outreach to voters; as well as assisting local polling firms in building their capacity to do this type of survey research.

During the May 12, 2007 parliamentary elections, IRI polling played a critical role in focusing the debate on issues of concern to voters. Parties relied on IRI data in their message development, voter targeting, paid and unpaid media strategies and get-out-the-vote programs.

IRI’s March 2007 survey revealed that the concerns of the average Armenian were resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (a disputed territory on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan that led to armed conflict between 1988-1994 and currently remains unresolved), improving economic development and effectively combating corruption.

Local Polling Firm Capacity Building Trainings

Through IRI trainings, local polling firms gain knowledge and experience on survey methods specifically focused on opinion polling for use by political parties. The trainings focus on methodology, impartiality and both quantitative and qualitative data collection.

Throughout its history, Armenia has faced issues of significant complexity. In 1922, the Soviet Union took control of the country, ending years of fighting over the country. From 1988 to 1994, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought an armed conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which lead Azerbaijan and Turkey to close their boarders to Armenia. The country was hit with devastating earthquake in 1988 that caused billions of dollars in damages, killed an estimated 25,000 people and injured another 15,000.

As the Soviet Union collapsed, Armenians declared their sovereignty in August 1990. Voters voiced their support for an end to Soviet rule and independence was declared in September 1991.

Levon Ter-Pertrossian, elected the first post-Communist president in October 1991, was forced to resign in 1998 over the failure to resolve issues of Nagorno-Karabakh and continuing economic decline.

Ter-Pertrossian was replaced with his Prime Minister, Robert Kocharian. In 2003, Kocharian was elected to a second term amidst contested elections and withstood public demonstrations calling for his resignation in 2004. Parliamentary elections in May of that year left him and his party in an even stronger political position.

Armenia is again in the middle of a major election cycle. Parliamentary elections were held in May 2007 and a new president will be elected in February 2008, as Kocharian is constitutionally forbidden from standing for a third term. The newly elected parliament and the presidential candidates will face some difficult challenges. Unemployment is high, Turkey and Azerbaijan continue to blockade the country, a crumbling infrastructure has recovered little from the 1988 earthquake and the population is in decline due to emigration.

Political Overview

Chief of State: President Robert Kocharian

Head of Government: Prime Minister Serge Sargsian, Republican Party of Armenia

Type of Government: republic

Suffrage: universal, age 18

Elections Calendar

Program Overview

Focus of Program: public opinion research and local survey research capacity building

Funding Source: United States Agency for International Development