By Ruben Meloyan
Armenia’s newly formed political coalition on Friday appeared to be still in talks over the distribution of roles in the emerging Cabinet, with its newly appointed head promising the negotiations would be completed by the end of the week.“You will be informed about decisions in a few days, but at this moment it is not correct to make any statement, because it will only hamper the discussions,” Tigran Sarkisian told reporters.
The new prime minister also defended President Serzh Sarkisian’s election programs as a means to defuse tensions in society.
“I think that Serzh Sarkisian gave an exhaustive answer to all questions in his inauguration speech [Wednesday] and I fully agree with the evaluations of the republic’s president, and I think the path that he has embarked on is the only way that will provide an opportunity to ensure an atmosphere of solidarity in our country,” Sarkisian (no relation to Serzh) said.
“Serzh Sarkisian’s is quite an ambitious program that received our people’s approval during his election campaign and we shall fulfill this program.”
Sarkisian also asked for some time to provide answers to all questions. “I think you should give me an opportunity… Don’t ask for answers to all questions now. It’s only two days since I took the prime minister’s job,” he said.
Former chief banker Sarkisian, who is currently not affiliated with any political party and is considered to be a technocrat manager, agreed that his new job implied a serious political component. “No economic reform can be fulfilled without political contents, and the prime minister’s is a fully political post,” he said.