Yesterday Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan again did not rule out the possibility of striking a new power-sharing deal with President Serzh Sargsyan after next month’s parliamentary elections. “I don’t know what will happen after the elections,” Tsarukyan told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) when asked about the PA’s readiness to enter into a new coalition government that might be formed by Sargsyan. “It depends on the people’s choice and trust. Nobody can tell today what choice the people will make. I don’t like to brag. I’m repeating once again the PA will maintain and protect the trust of the people to us. We will justify their expectations. Regardless of how many ballots we will get, I love the people and I care of them. Whatever I have done so far will continue in the future regardless of the vote results,” he said during an election campaign trip to Armenia’s southern Ararat province. Let’s mention that in parallel with Tsarukyan’s speech the former foreign affairs minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan yesterday released another statement, which read, “We are already halfway through the campaign and it’s quite clear what each political party offers at this stage and what alternatives you have. Based on the recommendations, I’d divide the political parties into two groups. The first group says that there is no problem in the country and that we had registered progress during the past five years and that we are on the right trails of development. This group whenever speaks of reforms and changes always underlines that the status quo is good and that we need stable development and progress. The second group thinks that this life and political situation are unacceptable for the Armenian society. They think that the political course of the last five years was incorrect and the country needs serious political and economic changes. The Prosperous Armenia belongs to the second group and really thinks that the current political and economic situation is not right for these people. We think that the social-economic situation of Armenia is far from being satisfactory. We immediately need political and economic reforms so that you start to live a more meaningful and prosperous life.” Addressing a rally in the town of Ararat, the PA leader again urged voters not to bow to pressure which he said is exerted on them by various officials. “Don’t succumb to anyone’s coercion,” he said. “They won’t be supporting your families or doing other things for you. They only think about themselves.” “Prosperous Armenia has made a very serious bid and wants to assume weighty responsibility in the National Assembly and the government,” Oskanyan said. He did not say whether Tsarukyan’s party is aiming for victory in the May 6 elections. Tsarukyan likewise remained reluctant to specify his and his political team’s electoral expectations. When asked how many parliament seats the PA expects to win, he said, “Regardless of everything, the Prosperous Armenia led by Tsarukyan will retain the people’s faith and trust. Regardless of how many votes we will get, I love and believe in the people.” As was the case elsewhere in Armenia, Tsarukyan attracted large and enthusiastic crowds in Ararat towns and villages. In what has been a pattern, the tycoon was mobbed by dozens of people asking for jobs and financial assistance. By the way, Tsarukyan also spoke about holding a gun tucked on his waste. “Some people are trying to demean the reputation of Tsarukyan by speaking about the weapon over and over again,” he said without providing details who tries to do so. He only added that some people are trying to build big stories because of tiny things. “They are searching for dirt but can’t find any. They say there was a pistol under Tsarukyan’s jacket. I never refuse from the pistol but my issue is not with people. I love you very much and I am trying to gain your credit and trust,” said Tsarukyan.
