“Haykakan Zhamanak” comments on the intention revealed this week by affluent Russian-Armenian businessman Ara Abrahamian to set up a political party in Armenia. “It’s all very simple. After the ‘dismantling’ of the Prosperous Armenia Party of tycoon Gagik Tsarukian Russia has no fully controlled political force in the non-governing part of Armenia’s political spectrum, which lowers Moscow’s maneuvering options. It means that Abrahamian will be stepping into Armenian politics as Moscow’s emissary,” the paper says.
On the same subject, “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” observes: “It is, indeed, a very important matter. Because if someone states that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is his president and that Putin is always right and simultaneously wants to set up a political party and play a serious political role in Armenia, even though he does not even have the right to be a lawmaker according to the laws of this country, then serious problems arise here.”
“Hraparak” suggests that after Tsarukian’s retirement from politics “there will be no lack of political clowns in Armenia.” “In the emptied political field of Armenia a new business project is being outlined and its main objective is to take votes from the opposition, especially that the rich Russian-Armenian tycoon has the possibilities for that,” the daily writes.
“Zhoghovurd” comments on the bribery allegations made by Levon Zurabian, a senior member of the opposition Armenian National Congress, against the government in connection with the constitutional reform process. “If Zurabian does not provide explanations, the prosecutor-general will deal with him,” the paper writes, reminding the readers that Armenia’s law-enforcement agencies are already probing the oppositionist’s claims.
(Heghine Buniatian)