One of the main topics of discussion in the top authorities of the Republic of Armenia in the current stage is concluding the upcoming presidential elections with one round. In fact, the oppositional parties are in the same situation too.
They are doing their best to exclude the possibility of running in the second round. For this purpose both of these forces are now negotiating on nominating a joint candidate during the elections. The opposition forces are doing their best to nominate Levon Ter-Petrosyan during the presidential elections as the joint candidate of oppositional parties, certainly if generally he agrees to run. As for the authorities, they want to nominate Serzh Sargsyan as the joint candidate of these political powers. The main problem for the authorities, i.e. for Republican party is its relations with its semi-coalition partner ARF (Dashnakcutyun), which is going to run with a separate candidate too. These days they are actively negotiating with the ARF not to let them run with a separate candidate and instead of it they are promising a number of portfolios. However, according to our information, ARF hasn’t changed its decision yet. For instance, they have promised ARF that if they don’t nominate a candidate, they will get more portfolios together with the existing ones, one of which is the position of the NA control department chair. It is not a secret that the former governor of Gegharkunik region (ARF member) and deputy head to the president’s control department, Arsen Grigoryan wants to get that position. Yesterday we asked ARG GC member Spartak Seiranyan whether their party would agree not to run with a separate candidate during the upcoming presidential elections if they were offered such positions.
“Firstly, these rumors are not true at all. Secondly, it is clear that there is no sense to speak and negotiate with ARF on such issue. Also, I don’t think that the fact whether a party is going to nominate a candidate or not may become a ground for such discussion. In a word, I think it is nonsense to conduct negotiations on the topic of nominating candidates on the part of separate parties. In other words, these rumors are resulted from the recent intrigue rumors published in the press”, said Spartak Seiranyan. By the way, some political groups are discussing that the fact of nominating a separate candidate on the part of ARF might be a part of the governmental “project” in case if Levon Ter-Petrosyan runs. In fact, being in competition with Levon Ter-Petrosyan ARF will support Serzh Sargsyan. Concerning this point Spartak Seiranyan said: “First of all, I think that nobody, neither Levon Ter-Petrosyan know whether he will run or not. Also, I don’t think that the only object of political competition or struggle is competing with Levon Ter-Petrosyan or speaking about him. Today there are more serious issues in the political agenda of ARF than competing with Levon Ter-Petrosyan. I understand that many people wish the political spectrum of ARF could become much narrow to the extent that it starts speaking about Levon Ter-Petrosyan only. I understand that this is what many people wish to see, but I assure that the issues concerning Armenia, the Armenians, the future of the people, the potential of state development, and effective development that are in the interests of ARF and the solutions that ARF may propose are more interesting than competing or struggling against a political power or a separate candidate. Personally I, being an editor of a newspaper, have not written anything about ANM during the recent five years due to the fact that this topic does not interest me at all”.
In consideration of the different announcements spoken by ARF members concerning the party membership of the candidate to be nominated by them we asked Spartak Seiranyan if they had decided whether their candidate would be a member of ARF member or nonpartisan. To this question S. Seiranyan answered that their candidate would surely be a member of ARF. To note, ARF will announce the name of its candidate during its General Council meeting in September, provided that they don’t change their mind and consider that the presidential elections are “a narrow spectrum” too.