The Voice of Russia
The parliamentary elections have taken place in Armenia. The Central Electoral Commission counted the votes. Five parties entered the parliament – the Republican Party of Armenia, Prosperous Armenia, Heritage, Dashnaktsyutunm and Orinats Erkir, as well as the bloc of the opposition Armenian National Congress.
The majority of votes was given to the Republican Party which is headed by President Sargsyan. Prosperous Armenia received 30.14%; Heritage – 5.79%; Armenian National Congress – 7.11%, Dashnaktsyutun – 5.71% and Orinats Erkir – 5.5%. The editor-in-chief of the information agency Vestnik Kavkaza, Alexei Vlasov, commented on the political situation in Armenia in an interview to the Voice of Russia.
- One of peculiarities of the elections was the participation of local and international observers. Why did the observers have such a big interest in Armenia this time?
- I think the Armenian authorities tried to present the elections as democratic and transparent. Many international observers who were working in Armenia were invited in advance. They are real experts on the region and Armenia. That is why the full data on the election campaign was presented. I think it is the result of cooperation between the Armenian authorities and the mission of international observers from the CIS, Europe, Israel and the USA.
- The majority of votes were given to the Republican Party headed by President Sargsyan. Do you think this is a trend for support for the authorities?
- In general, yes. But I would like to notice that alternative political forces will also be represented in the parliament. Moreover, the ruling coalition, including the party of the richest person in Armenia, Gagik Tsarukyan's Prosperous Armenia, has certain disagreements between its members. Prosperous Armenia had a separate list and program. However, the authorities have to do a lot to maintain the support of partner-parties.
- Is this parliament of Armenia able to rule the country? The main task is to take the country out of the critical social situation.
- This model of the parliament is optimal. All political forces are presented, not only the ruling one, but also the radical opposition – the ANC. It means that, despite some technical drawbacks in the election campaign, the opposition will consider the elections as legitimate, as the leader of the ANC, Ter-Petrosyan, gets a parliamentary rostrum for voicing his position. This balance is needed by Armenian society to avoid harsh and radical confrontation.
