– What are the principles that lie in the basement of the proportional list of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnakcutyun – hereinafter the ARF)?
– The ARF proportional list has 117 members. This number (117) symbolizes the age of our party. However, the list could be longer and could include more members. In the basement of the list there are three principles, which will help us to drive our policy to the logical aim and goals of our party and ideology. These are the national and state problems that should be solved, thus creating a good team for us. The first principle is that the list should consist of those members that aim to solve the ideological problems of our party and do their best for that purpose. This is the reason why the list has so many members. The second principle is the professionalism of the candidates since we think that in order to solve the existing problems and challenges they should be professional. Also, we should recruit new members in the list so that we can renovate and improve our potential. In this framework, there are more young people in the lists now and they dominate.
– Have you tried to provide transition places for the young members and students?
– The median age of the members of our list is 42-43, which is a very young age. The youngest candidate that we have is 25 years old, and the oldest – 65. The first places are mainly given to young members. Certainly the students’ union is very important, but it is not enough to improve our youth potential. For example, there are many young people included in the board. In a word, our young followers are not from the students’ union only.
– What do you think about the importance to recruit women in the parliament too? Do you think the law providing that at least 15% should be women is justified?
– Certainly, this number should be increased. As for the ARF, it has taken a responsibility to provide at least 25% for women. In our list the percentage of women is 26%. We gave the first places to them so that they have real participation in the legislative branch. We have also recruited nonpartisan women in our list. However, they are our followers and have supported and advocated us so that they don’t have to be party members. We have always said that the ARF is so strong due to its followers, so the fact that they are our followers is enough for us.
– Recently deputy defense minister Arthur Aghabekyan joined the ARF too. How important is this fact for you?
– Arthur Aghabekyan has much honor and experience. I am sure that due to this nature ha can solve many problems and help people wherever he is. He is both experienced and very active; due to this nature his presence in our party is logical. As for the fact that he resigned from his service position in the army, it is his own decision and the ARF has not done anything. We are glad for his decision and we believe that he can perform his possibilities and potential in the political field too.
– What are the positive and negative parts of the ARF voter list?
– The positive part is the fact that all the mentioned principles are supported in the lists. I believe that this team can solve any problems in the future not depending on the outcome of elections and the roles they will have. This is the most important privilege. The negative part is the problem that we can’t include everyone in the list. This is not a hierarchy; it does not mean that the people that are included in the lists are better than those who are not. However, we have to classify the places in the list. Notwithstanding, the fact is that they should not be classified in the rows, but should stand together in one line since all of them are honored.