“We are concerned about a behavior that has become a tradition, what I mean is that since 2000 there are parties in Armenia that are formally members of the ruling coalition, and till 2003 there were an informal part of the ruling government, but recently in their actions they are trying to do other things, which recently happened to the PA party,” says education minister (RPA) Armen Ashotyan commenting on the critics on the part of some members of the PA during their summit. “The RPA has seen how the LS and ARF did that kind of thing and we know what it is. I am sorry that the PA did the same too and could not keep away from such behavior. In order to understand the role of the coalition partners in the government I will say that about 35% of the state budget is under the control of four ministries that are managed by the PA party members. I am asking to address all problems to debate and discuss issues with the society like the RPA is doing,” said Ashotyan. Before joining the coalition Vardan Oskanyan had announced that the PA was responsible for the current situation as much as it is a part of the government. Such announcements have been made by other members of the PA as well. The meaning of such announcements is that the key positions such as the positions of the prime-minister and president are cont5rolled by the RPA. In answer to this Ashotyan said, “If any political power agrees that it is strong within the ruling power, it is already time for them to leave from the ship of political responsibility, which is the coalition. If you don’t leave this ship, it means that the memorandums, the coalition memorandum and other documents cannot be interpreted as to be responsible partially. Is everything good in the sectors under their control? Have they been so good in their sectors that now want to change the situation in other sectors as well?”
