Armenia retains its status as semi-consolidated authoritarian regime in the Freedom House report titled “Nations in Transit 2017.” However, Armenia’s democracy score declined from 5.36 to 5.39.

Armenia is again 21st in the list of 29 nations in transition.

The report says Armenia’s National Democratic Governance rating declined from 5.75 to 6.00 due to the inability of the government to address legitimate popular grievances before they spill over into protest, and then to resolve those protests without violence.

Meanwhile, Electoral Process rating declined from 5.75 to 6.00 due to new evidence of serious shortcomings during the 2015 referendum and 2016 local elections, failure to resolve shortcomings in the law with new regulations, and adoption of experimental formal rules in the new electoral code.

Independent Media rating improved from 5.75 to 5.50 due to increased professionalism, diversity, and accessibility of internet media, which is challenging the dominance of television as the main source of information.