EU's Armenia strategy criticized ahead of pivotal elections (euobserver.com)

• EU funding and monitoring in Armenia focused on incumbents with questionable democratic credentials.
• Elections are critical for Armenia's future direction amid geopolitical tensions.
• Analysts warn EU's approach may backfire and weaken pro-democracy movements.

"The EU is deploying democracy-support tools in Armenia before crucial parliamentary elections, but critics argue it is backing the wrong political forces, potentially undermining its own objectives. The article points to a disconnect between EU conditionality and local realities."