Armenia's President Reelected In Controversial Election

(Vatican Radio)Initial results show Armenia's President Serzh Sarksyan has won a second five-year term with about 58 per cent of votes cast in a controversial election.

Monday's ballot was overshadowed by European Union concerns about the status of democracy in the country.

The incumbent's main rival Raffi Hovannisian received about 32 per cent, but the lack of serious competition has led observers to question the democratic credentials of the poll.

Observers recalled that the last presidential election, in 2008, was marred by clashes in which 10 people were killed, though the were no immediate reports of violence this time.

INTERNATIONAL APPROVAL?

Sarksyan has made clear he hopes the election secures the approval of international observers and ensure some stability after years of war and upheaval.

However questions remain how the head-of-state will tackle tensions with Azerbaijan about the enclave Nagorno-Karabakh, following a war between the two neighbours over the ethnic Armenian-majority territory.

At least 30,000 people were killed and over 1 million people were displaced in the fighting. The president has said he prefers peace talks but is ready to fight over the enclave again, "if necessary."

Sarksyan says he prefers peace talks but is ready to fight over the enclave again, "if necessary."

CALM URGED

However the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schultz, has appealed for calm. "The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unsustainable, it's quite clear," he said.

"Both sides should do efforts towards a solution. Both sides are invited by the European Parliament to avoid any statement which could lead to more tensions and more conflicts, Schultz added.

Besides tensions over the enclave president Sarksyan also faces economic troubles with nearly a third of the population living in below the poverty line.

He seeks a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU, but Brussels has warned that requires an improvement of democratic standards in the former Soviet republic.

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