Armenian authorities start reshuffles for coming elections - expert

The recent series of dismissals of Armenian officials is mainly due to the coming elections, in order to enforce power and avoid unexpected events, Andrey Areshev, Deputy Director General of the Fund for Strategic Culture of Russia, told Vestnik Kavkaza.

Many observers say former President Robert Kocharyan’s return in one form or another is likely. The reshuffles have been closely related to the scenario, and policy of the current authorities. Areshev says that the events are not influenced by foreign states.

Commenting on prospects for radical opposition in Armenia, Areshev noted that pressure from the radical non-parliamentary opposition is obvious. But Levon Ter-Petrosyan and his Armenian National Congress are hardly likely to achieve their goals. Areshev believes that early parliamentary or presidential polls with such pressure have low chances of being realized.

The expert underlined that he was making short-term predictions, because Armenia changes dynamically and may have totally different developments next month.