NineMSN, Australia
May 19 2007

Armenian president’s supporters win vote
Saturday May 19 22:57 AEST

Armenian parties which support President Robert Kocharyan have won
last week’s parliamentary election, the central election commission
says, citing the first official results.

The Republican party, led by Prime Minister Serzh Sarksyan who is the
favoured successor to Kocharyan, won 65 seats in the 131-seat
parliament, according to election officials.

The pro-presidential Prosperous Armenia came second with 25 seats
followed by Dashnaktsutiun with 16 and Orinats Yerkir (Country of
laws) with 9.

The vote, which took place last Saturday, is regarded as a test of
democracy in the country and a dress rehearsal for a presidential
contest next year.