“168 Zham” says Tuesday’s inauguration of President Serzh Sarkisian and an alternative ceremony planned by opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian are “almost equally important for our state and society.” “Naturally, the authorities are treating the event to be held in Liberty Square with sarcasm, while the opposition considers the ceremony at Yerevan’s Sport and Concert Arena to be an inauguration of lies and deceit,” editorializes the paper. It says the significance of the two events lies in the two sides’ ability to avoid clashes feared by many people.
“Hraparak” says Hovannisian’s Zharangutyun (Heritage) party has introduced “a culture of communicating with political rivals in a friendly language” and demonstrated that it can form an alternative “government” to challenge the authorities. “But no matter how civilized Zharangutyun’s struggle against the government is everyone here feels that the opposition is not a real opposition until it is harassed, goes underground or is imprisoned,” claims the paper.
“Zhamanak” says many people are curious to see what will happen on Tuesday. “In fact, there is a degree of exaggeration in all this,” the paper says in an effort to lower those expectations. “The expectations are not clear,” it says. “It is not clear who expects what and what should be anticipated. An inauguration is expected in Liberty Square. What will happen next? This and other, related questions remain unanswered.”
“Serzh Sarkisian’s second inauguration is also not taking place not the way he would have liked to: in an atmosphere of national unity and amid mutual congratulations,” writes “Irates de facto.” “True, we will have two inaugurations today but the atmosphere is totally different. Gone is the past devastating hatred and many clearly regret that.” The paper praises Hovannisian for not “disseminating hatred” despite the fact that his cautious stance is certain to have lost him some popular support. “Raffi has not crossed the line of inadmissibility. He has not played games imposed and even provoked by others. He has lost something. But he has not led people to clashes despite having twice as many votes as Levon Ter-Petrosian.”
(Aghasi Yenokian)
“Hraparak” says Hovannisian’s Zharangutyun (Heritage) party has introduced “a culture of communicating with political rivals in a friendly language” and demonstrated that it can form an alternative “government” to challenge the authorities. “But no matter how civilized Zharangutyun’s struggle against the government is everyone here feels that the opposition is not a real opposition until it is harassed, goes underground or is imprisoned,” claims the paper.
“Zhamanak” says many people are curious to see what will happen on Tuesday. “In fact, there is a degree of exaggeration in all this,” the paper says in an effort to lower those expectations. “The expectations are not clear,” it says. “It is not clear who expects what and what should be anticipated. An inauguration is expected in Liberty Square. What will happen next? This and other, related questions remain unanswered.”
“Serzh Sarkisian’s second inauguration is also not taking place not the way he would have liked to: in an atmosphere of national unity and amid mutual congratulations,” writes “Irates de facto.” “True, we will have two inaugurations today but the atmosphere is totally different. Gone is the past devastating hatred and many clearly regret that.” The paper praises Hovannisian for not “disseminating hatred” despite the fact that his cautious stance is certain to have lost him some popular support. “Raffi has not crossed the line of inadmissibility. He has not played games imposed and even provoked by others. He has lost something. But he has not led people to clashes despite having twice as many votes as Levon Ter-Petrosian.”
(Aghasi Yenokian)