By Shakeh Avoyan
The 28-year-old son of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian has joined the unfolding parliamentary race in what promises to be one of the most tightly contested constituencies in Yerevan. David Ter-Petrosian, who did not engage in political activities until now, filed on Sunday for registration as a candidate in a single-mandate constituency in the city’s southern Erebuni district. He will be facing eight rivals.
The most prominent of them are former Transport Minister Eduard Madatian and Aram Karapetian, an outspoken opposition candidate in the recent presidential election. Both men are opposed to President Robert Kocharian and backed his challenger Stepan Demirchian in March 5 run-off. Karapetian is also a senior member of the Demirchian-led Artarutyun (Justice) bloc comprising more than a dozen opposition parties.
Madatian was already elected to the National Assembly from the same area in 1999.
Ter-Petrosian Jr. is not formally affiliated with any party, including the former ruling Armenian Pan-National Movement (HHSh) which remains staunchly loyal to his father. The reclusive ex-president has tried unsuccessfully to get all political groups supporting him to form a single electoral alliance. The HHSh has decided to contest the polls on its own.
Ter-Petrosian grew up in one of Erebuni’s neighborhoods. His parental house is still located there.