There are two months to go before the parliamentary elections in Russia. The election campaign is in full swing. All the parties have published candidates’ lists. In almost all of them Armenian surnames can be found. Could our Russian compatriots use the elections to strengthen their influence in the power structures?
About two dozen ethnic Armenians are registered as candidates for the State Duma. The last time there were more than 50 of them. The decrease in the number of Armenian candidates doesn’t mean anything. But a shallow analysis is enough to see a real threat of a decreasing number of Armenians in legislative branch of power. It is interesting that the ruling party, United Russia, has no representatives of the Armenian community among its candidates. The decision of the party to shift Artur Chilingarov from the State Duma to the Federation Council is a loss not only for the Armenian Union, but for the whole community.
The only man with Armenian origins on the list of United Russia has nothing in common with the Armenian community. The son of Rostov Armenians, Stepan Shorshov, who is working on the security committee, this time is proposed in Altai Territory.
Usually, many Armenians are registered on the lists of the Liberal Democrats. This time the situation is different. After the scandal surrounding Ashot Yegizaryan took place, Vladimir Zhirinovsky decided to have no business with Armenians. Zhirinovsky has been accused many times of involving well-off Armenians in the party for bribes, but not always fulfilled his promises. This time Zhirinovsky decided to refuse the help of Armenian businessmen.
No Armenians are observed in the lists of Patriots of Russia and Right Cause. Meanwhile, the party Yabloko registered four Armenian candidates. All four are very interesting: a well-known doctor, a director of theatre, an artist… The only disadvantage is that Yabloko has few chances of overcoming the seven-per-cent barrier. The Communists decided not to count on Armenians.
The high level of representation of Armenians on the lists of the Just Russia party led to growth of the party’s popularity among Russian Armenians. However, in such a country as Russia, it is difficult for ethnic communities to gain success in the parliamentary elections. Parties do not pay serious attention to the ethnic factor. Almost all the Armenians who got on to the lists of parties are party organization men or sponsors. Even now, parties do not register Armenians on their lists for gaining votes of their compatriots, even considering the fact that there are more than a million Armenians in Russia today. In the US the Armenian community has fewer human resources, but works much more effectively.
Novoe Vremya, Armenia
