Eduard Sharmazanov, the spokesman for the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), tells “Hayots Ashkhar” that those who claimed that the presidential election is not competitive have been proven wrong. “We can now be convinced that the elections were competitive,” he says. “In some precincts one of the opposition candidates won quite a lot of votes.” Sharmazanov also insists that President Serzh Sarkisian scored a “convincing victory” in the vote.
“Zhamanak” quotes Vartan Ghukasian, the former mayor of Gyumri, as saying the fact that Sarkisian was defeated by Raffi Hovannisian in Armenia’s second city only proved that the election was democratic. “It is possible that such elections are not held even in Europe,” claims Ghukasian.
Vartan Bostanjian, a member of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), similarly assures “Aravot” that the election was free and competitive. Sarkisian deserved to be reelected because of his “liberalization” policies, adds Bostanjian.
“Once again we have seen that our people are much better than their political and intellectual elite,” writes “Hraparak.” The paper says that political groups that chose not to participate in the vote let Armenians down. “If political forces had not betrayed and disoriented the people, the voice of the people would have been heard more clearly,” it says, accusing the Armenian National Congress (HAK), the BHK and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) of helping to legitimize the official vote results.
“Orakarg” says Sarkisian’s reelection will create a new political situation in Armenia. “As a rule, a second presidential term enables various to prepare for the struggle for power anew,” explains the paper. This is true for not only the opposition but also various government factions, it says. “This will mean a five-year period filled with intrigues for the Armenian political scene, which could significantly weaken the government,” it says.
(Aghasi Yenokian)
“Zhamanak” quotes Vartan Ghukasian, the former mayor of Gyumri, as saying the fact that Sarkisian was defeated by Raffi Hovannisian in Armenia’s second city only proved that the election was democratic. “It is possible that such elections are not held even in Europe,” claims Ghukasian.
Vartan Bostanjian, a member of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), similarly assures “Aravot” that the election was free and competitive. Sarkisian deserved to be reelected because of his “liberalization” policies, adds Bostanjian.
“Once again we have seen that our people are much better than their political and intellectual elite,” writes “Hraparak.” The paper says that political groups that chose not to participate in the vote let Armenians down. “If political forces had not betrayed and disoriented the people, the voice of the people would have been heard more clearly,” it says, accusing the Armenian National Congress (HAK), the BHK and the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) of helping to legitimize the official vote results.
“Orakarg” says Sarkisian’s reelection will create a new political situation in Armenia. “As a rule, a second presidential term enables various to prepare for the struggle for power anew,” explains the paper. This is true for not only the opposition but also various government factions, it says. “This will mean a five-year period filled with intrigues for the Armenian political scene, which could significantly weaken the government,” it says.
(Aghasi Yenokian)