This is the reality where we according to political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan live. He expressed this opinion during yesterday’s meeting. He said the processes that were launched on 21 September 2007 and continued in the pre-election period, on the day of election and on 1 March have not been over yet. However, the political life in Armenia will face decline in summer since it is inevitable in that season of the year. The authorities are likely to sanction the opposition rally planned for 20 June. “I do not think the rally to result in a new political wave. Everything testifies to the inevitable decline in summer. Nevertheless, it is politics wherein nothing should be ruled out,” he said. The expert outlined the continuing dissatisfaction of large sections of the population. As regards the PACE Summer Session, A. Iskandaryan believes that the organization is not likely to impose sanctions on Armenia. “Nothing is required from Armenia. They just wish progress to the country and the relations with the Council of Europe central agencies are a permanent political process. I don’t think PACE Summer Session will apply anything severe against Armenia,” he said. One of the journalists asked what Iskandaryan thought about the rumors that the opposition may artificially tense the situation in the country. As a response Iskandaryan said that first he doesn’t agree with such a formulation – “artificial.” “What do you mean by the word artificial? This process is undertaken by a number of people. It is neither storm nor thunder to consider inartificial,” he said and added that all the steps undertaken by these people may be considered artificial. But do we still have the discontent that brought people out on the streets and made them rally for 9 days. “No, it still exists,” he pledged. He thinks that such discontent exists in all countries. People just need a hose to express that discontent through. In our case Ter-Petrosyan was that hose. “It would be naïve to say that if there was no Ter-Petrosyan there would be no such wave. He was just able to realize that,” mentioned the political scientist. The journalists asked Iskandaryan’s opinion about the conduct of extraordinary elections in Armenia. He didn’t give a concrete answer to that and mentioned that it largely depends on the political and economic developments in country. But one thing Iskandaryan is sure of. The legitimacy level of the government is very low. “Everything is possible in conditions of low legitimacy.” According to Iskandaryan the wave of discontent exists and will exist as long as the incumbent government exists. “Are there at least two people, who support Serzh Sargsyan? Yes, there are. If one of them changes opinion there will be decline of legitimacy.”
