By Ruzanna Khachatrian
A member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Bureau says no “shocking changes” are likely to happen for the party in the upcoming parliamentary elections. At a press conference on Friday Deputy Parliament Speaker Vahan Hovannisian was asked to comment on the pre-election passivity of Dashnaktsutyun, which currently holds 11 deputy posts in the current legislature.
“And so what? Have you ever seen people in France walking in the streets with banners six months before elections?” Hovannisian responded.
Speaking about Dashnaktsutyun’s chances in next spring’s parliamentary elections, Hovannisian said: “It is for the voter to decide whether we will be in parliament or not. I think we will. But whether we will be in power will depend on how many votes we get. But it is difficult to expect any shocking changes.”
Asked to comment on the expediency of establishing another party, Prosperous Armenia, next to the Republican Party, Dashnaktsutyun, the United Labor Party and a number of other parties currently supporting President Robert Kocharian, the senior ARF member said: “There are people who may go to another field if repelled.”
The ARF Bureau member also said that he does not consider Armenia’s first president Levon Ter-Petrosian’s return to be a real prospect.
Regarding the meeting between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan expected later this month, Hovannisian said: “The dynamics of the presidents’ meetings is not to our detriment. But some proposals or new elements that we would not like may always emerge under pressure. If we don’t like them, we will not accept them.”