Civil Contract party election platform signals pivot from Russia

• Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party has unveiled a new election program that deemphasizes its strategic alliance with Russia while signaling closer relations with the European Union. 

• Parliament speaker Alen Simonyan warned that Yerevan could leave Russian-led blocs like the Collective Security Treaty Organization and Eurasian Economic Union if Moscow applies economic pressure on Armenia. 

• Civil Contract has proposed a controversial plan to reform the Armenian Apostolic Church, including the potential removal of Catholicos Karekin II. 

• This Week in Business.

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