In the direction of reforms or anti-opposition rhetoric
Spring has started in Armenia with opposition rallies organized by the Armenian National Congress with the participation of thousands of protesters. The ANC's focus is on the tragic events of March 1, 2008, and the deterioration of the socio-economic situation in the country. Inflation in the country, which is running at 9-10%, as well as the ban on street vendors, is also facilitating the increase in the number of protesters.
At the last opposition meeting, dedicated to the third commemoration of the events of March 1, 2008, the leader of the ANC, ex-president Levon Ter-Petrosian, presented 15 demands to the Armenian authorities, including the release of all political prisoners by March 15; creation of an independent expert group to investigate the events of March 1, 2008; permission for gatherings on Freedom Square in Yerevan; permission for street vendors to operate, etc.
According to Ter-Petrosian, if the authorities agree to meet the majority of the requirements the opposition will initiate a dialogue with the Armenian government on early presidential and parliamentary elections. Several representatives of the current government have called for the demands to be ignored. The press-secretary of the ruling Armenian Republican Party, Eduard Sharmazanov, stated that the government is open to discussions but will not permit ultimatums and invited the opposition leaders to take part in the reforms the government is initiating at the moment.
However, despite the negative attitude of the current Armenian government towards the opposition, it has not yet managed to develop a program of reforms that will eliminate the current socio-economic problems. To a large extent the crisis is caused by an economic system orientated towards oligarchs and monopolists, who largely rely on the current government.
The next meeting of the ANC is scheduled for March 17.
Susanna Petrosian, Yerevan. Exclusively for VK.
