Armenian newspapers widely react to the statements by wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukian about his possible return to active politics ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. Tsarukian, the founder and former leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, quit politics under government pressure in 2015 after unsuccessfully challenging President Serzh Sarkisian and his ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) over a controversial constitutional reform.
“Haykakan Zhamanak” suggests that the tycoon’s political comeback has actually been requested by Sarkisian himself. “Naturally, after what happened before Tsarukian would rather stay out of politics, because this time he will be used maximally before being kicked out again in the most brutal way. But, as they say, there are requests that one cannot decline,” the paper writes.
“Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” presents reaction from HHK spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov to Tsarukian’s remarks that he forgave everyone who had said bad things about him. “Sharmazanov said that all the evilness, insidiousness and rudeness is now in the past and that now it’s time for love, forgiveness and kindness,” the daily cites the politician, suggesting that this way he, in fact, admitted that all those things existed in the past.
“Zhamanak” says that while announcing his possible political comeback yesterday, Tsarukian was careful not to reveal the possible targets of his future political activities. Still, the paper suggests that Tsarukian’s praise for new Prime Minister Karen Karapetian, who was appointed by Sarkisian, means that he will no longer criticize the current president.
(Anush Mkrtchian)
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