The meeting of the Armenian National Congress on April 8th was the next important step in the opposition's activity. The leaders of the opposition urged people to prepare for a campaign of civil disobedience. So the opposition has stated its readiness for radical methods.
On March 17th the opposition demanded that the authorities free all political prisoners, provide the opposition with the right to hold meetings on Freedom Square and establish an independent committee on the investigation into the deaths of 10 people during the demonstration on March 1st, 2008.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan stated that the authorities hadn’t met the opposition demands before March 8th. He extended the term of implementation of the demand until the next meeting. If the situation remains the same, the opposition leader promised to change tactics and the character of the activity, as there is a limit to people’s patience.
What about the authorities? On the one hand, they have come to terms with the opposition. The president and the government spoke about the necessity of reforms of the police and tax and customs systems. It was decided to spend money on support for poor families and agriculture. On the other hand, some opposition parties appear to be under the control of the government. The authorities are trying to establish a “third force”, but this project is failing.
First of all, after March 1st, 2008, there are only two colors in the Armenian political spectrum - black and white - and Armenian society is divided into two parts.
Secondly, the two main forces, the authorities and the opposition, are strong enough, they don’t need a third power.
The third aspect is the deterioration of the social and economic situation.
Lastly, attempts at establishing a “third force” are based on the unacceptability of Ter-Petrosyan to a part of society. However, notwithstanding his negative image, Ter-Petrosyan still has authority amongst the population.
So by April 28th there will be a pause in relations between the government and the opposition. If the president implements the opposition’s demands, it will probably lead to early presidential and parliamentary elections. If the government doesn’t do so, the opposition will launch a campaign of civil disobedience all around the country.
Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK.
