Interview by Ashot Grigoryan, exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Elections to the Council of Elders of Yerevan took place on May 5th. According to preliminary data, the ruling Republican Party of Armenia got 55.68%, Prosperous Armenia – 23.05%, and the bloc of parties “Hello Yerevan!” – 8.47%. Political scientist David Petrosyan answers Vestnik Kavkaza’s questions on peculiarities of the elections.
- Unlike previous municipal elections, these elections had great importance for Armenia. Why was this so?
- Three parliamentary political forces (the Armenian national congress, Dashnaktsutyun, and Prosperous Armenia) didn’t participate in the last presidential elections for various reasons, but decided to take part in the elections on May 5th.
Yerevan elections are thought to be third important elections in Armenia. 35% of Armenian voters live in Yerevan, and each political force strive for demonstration of its abilities in the capital. Major financial and economic resources are concentrated in Yerevan. Those who control Yerevan control financial flows and the economic sphere of the country. Some political forces though that the mayor could be a counterbalance to President and the government, however, I disagree with them because the mayor doesn’t control force structures. But Yerevan’s mayor is one of the most important political figures of Armenia.
- What were the peculiarities of the elections?
- The opposition can say whatever it wants, but there was no violence at the elections of May 5th. The atmosphere was tense, but there were no fights and clashes, even though attempts took place. It was the first peculiarity. The second difference was that all parliamentary forces invested significant sums in the election campaign, unlike the campaign of 2009. It means that all participants of the elections treated them very seriously. The third peculiarity was that the parties with a clear ideological doctrine didn’t get into the capital parliament – the ANC and Dashnaktsutyun. I don’t talk about the Republican Party of Armenia which has a clear ideological doctrine, but doesn’t follow it.
- What is the reason for the failure of ideological political forces?
- Perhaps it is connected with the fact that today paternalism is easier to “sell” in Armenia than programs and ideology. Nevertheless, election programs by Dashnaktsutyun, Prosperous Armenia, and the ANC were thoughtful; it was obvious that these parties are aware of Yerevan’s problems and their programs presented ways out for the problems.
- The opposition decided to take part in the elections separately. Could this be the reason for its failure?
- The Armenian opposition cannot take part in elections as a unified whole; it is impossible because Dashnaktsutyun’s voters won’t support this force, if it appears in one bloc with the ANC or Prosperous Armenia, and so on. The point is in voters, and each opposition force understands this. Voters perceive positively that these three forces actively cooperate in the parliament, but they are not ready to see the forces in one coalition.
As for the opposition’s failure, I don’t think PA has failed. Yes, it was defeated by RPA, but if we look at results of the previous elections to the Council of Elders in 2009, we will see that today PA got 7 thousand more votes. The ANC’s failure is explained by the fact that restructuring of the party began during the period of election agitation. As for Dashnaktsutyun, the majority of its voters live in regions.
- What do you think about the election coalition “Hello Yerevan”?
- The coalition managed to get more than 8% and entered the Council of the Elders. However, the elections showed that the 43% which Raffi Ovannisyan received in the presidential elections meant a common amount of protest votes; Ovannisyan’s personal votes are the 8%.
- What are the political results of the elections?
- Formally RPA maintained all positions which belonged to it since 2007, i.e. the total control over Yerevan, the parliament, the government, and the presidential position. Thus, RPA is still the leading political force.
- As usual, RPA used a huge administrative resource in the elections. Under what conditions the opposition forces would overcome the amount of votes provided by the administrative resource?
- I don’t see any opportunity for this today because RPA’s resource is too huge, and other parties lack resources for struggling against RPA. But this situation cannot last forever. Firstly, there could be emergencies; secondly, RPA itself is not solid.
