President Serzh Sarksyan’s ruling Republican Party leads Armenia’s parliamentary elections according to exit polls on April 2.
These are the first elections since a 2015 constitutional referendum, when the ex-Soviet country voted to change from a semi-presidential government system to a parliamentary republic.
The constitutional changes mean that power will lie with the prime minister.
Critics claim that the changes may be aimed at prolonging Sarksyan’s political life after his presidential term ends in 2018.
Sarksyan could achieve this by becoming prime minister or exercising influence through a handpicked successor. Sarksyan, now 62, has denied such allegations.
An exit poll by Baltic Surveys/The Gallup Organization, put the Republican Party on 46 percent of votes cast.
The Tsarukyan’s Alliance opposition party, led by wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, trailed on 25 percent.
The Yelk opposition alliance received 10 percent of votes, while the government-loyal Dashnaktsutyun Party received 5 percent according to exit polls.
The Republicans will need 50% + 1 vote to form a majority government.
