Youth NGOs in Armenia and the 2012 Parliamentary Elections

Author(s): Inge Snip
Editor(s): Iris Kempe, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Lili Di Puppo, Hans Gutbrod
Series: Caucasus Analytical Digest (CAD)
Issue: 39
Pages: 11-13
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, George Washington University
Publication Year: 2012

During the campaign for Armenia's May 6, 2012, parliamentary elections, there were some reports of aggressive encounters between youth groups affiliated with the main political parties. However, in contrast to previous elections, there was little or no violence on election day itself. Moreover, due in part to a surprisingly high level of cooperation between several youth NGOs, the OSCE, Western diplomats and local observation missions deemed the elections to be relatively more free and fair than previous ones. The polarization of the political field has led to a more active society - less apathetic and more engaged; this polarization has created space for a larger number of youth NGOs to operate in the country, and a more polarized NGO field. Although civil society in Armenia remains highly politicized, the expanding public space provided more breathing room for non-politically aligned groups. The following article examines the background of youth activism in Armenia, takes a closer look at the different youth groups and their aims, and analyzes their roles during the campaign and on election day itself.

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