Aram Danielian, the newly reelected mayor of Hrazdan, tells “Hayots Ashkhar” that the weekend election held in his town was free and fair. “The fact is that the local organization of the Republican Party (HHK) beat the united opposition,” says Danielian. “That happened despite the fact that the Armenian National Congress (HAK) prepared for the election for months. They probably thought that by politicizing the mayor’s post they will achieve their goal. That is why they didn’t come up with any program during the election campaign.” Danielian also dismisses opposition claims that HAK candidate Sasun Mikaelian was the rightful winner of the ballot.
Speaking to “Hraparak,” Smbat Ayvazian, a leader of the Hanrapetutyun (Republic) party aligned in the HAK, comments on reported disagreements within the opposition alliance over its list of candidates for the May parliamentary elections. He seems confident that the HAK parties will reach an agreement on that. Ayvazian believes that the HAK should concentrate on “fighting on the street,” rather than drawing up the electoral slate. “We should force the authorities to abolish the elections held in single-mandate constituencies,” he adds. “The Congress should start from this in getting the people out on the street. As for drawing up the list, we should do everything to make sure that there are no unhappy people [within the HAK.]”
“Yerkir” reports on former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s decision to join the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK). Oskanian said in a statement on Tuesday that he sees his membership in the BHK as an opportunity to effect change in Armenia. “But holding free and democratic elections is a priority not only for the BHK,” comments the paper. “He could have chosen any party on those grounds. So the conduct of fair elections alone cannot be a motive for joining a party because the election conduct is not a goal but a means for a political force equipped with some programs and goals to come to power.” The paper says Oskanian did not specify in which direction he thinks the BHK would take Armenia.
“Zhamanak” says Monday’s meeting of President Serzh Sarkisian, BHK leader Gagik Tsarukian and Orinats Yerkir Party leader Artur Baghdasarian created a “new political situation” in the country. The paper says Sarkisian’s HHK will be seeking to gain, together with Orinats Yerkir, an absolute majority in the next National Assembly. “So the HHK and Orinats Yerkir will have such presence [in the parliament] that there will be no need for the majority to rely on the BHK,” it speculates.
(Aghasi Yenokian)
Speaking to “Hraparak,” Smbat Ayvazian, a leader of the Hanrapetutyun (Republic) party aligned in the HAK, comments on reported disagreements within the opposition alliance over its list of candidates for the May parliamentary elections. He seems confident that the HAK parties will reach an agreement on that. Ayvazian believes that the HAK should concentrate on “fighting on the street,” rather than drawing up the electoral slate. “We should force the authorities to abolish the elections held in single-mandate constituencies,” he adds. “The Congress should start from this in getting the people out on the street. As for drawing up the list, we should do everything to make sure that there are no unhappy people [within the HAK.]”
“Yerkir” reports on former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian’s decision to join the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK). Oskanian said in a statement on Tuesday that he sees his membership in the BHK as an opportunity to effect change in Armenia. “But holding free and democratic elections is a priority not only for the BHK,” comments the paper. “He could have chosen any party on those grounds. So the conduct of fair elections alone cannot be a motive for joining a party because the election conduct is not a goal but a means for a political force equipped with some programs and goals to come to power.” The paper says Oskanian did not specify in which direction he thinks the BHK would take Armenia.
“Zhamanak” says Monday’s meeting of President Serzh Sarkisian, BHK leader Gagik Tsarukian and Orinats Yerkir Party leader Artur Baghdasarian created a “new political situation” in the country. The paper says Sarkisian’s HHK will be seeking to gain, together with Orinats Yerkir, an absolute majority in the next National Assembly. “So the HHK and Orinats Yerkir will have such presence [in the parliament] that there will be no need for the majority to rely on the BHK,” it speculates.
(Aghasi Yenokian)