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Armenian return: would Kocharian repeat Putin's path?
[image: Armenian return: would Kocharian repeat Putin's path?]
October 1, 2011 - 09:19 AMT
*PanARMENIAN.Net* - Possible return of former President *Robert
Kocharian*to politics has been one of the most debated topics
recently. The latest
developments in Russia, where the current President openly declared his
support to Prime Minister at the next presidential race, poured oil on the
flames.
In one of his recent interviews, Kocharian said that his return to politics
will depend on three major factors: 1. Absence of sustainable progress and
emigration growth, 2. Demand for his return and 3. His inner confidence of
ability to radically improve the situation.
Judging by the above-mentioned, we can presume that the first condition for
Kocharian's return is obvious and in case he wishes, the second one will
become a reality as well. However, it's evident that return of Kocharian
will be a harder process than return of Putin. If the latter left the
presidential post to occupy the seat of Prime Minister and did not conceal
his being the master of Russia, the former faces a different situation.
Kocharian left the post amid bloody confrontation between the authorities
and opposition that resulted in death of 10 people on March 1, 2008.
According to experts, this was the main reason why Kocharian did not assume
the Prime Minister's duties, as many held him responsible for the bloodshed.
Besides, Serzh Sargsyan, whose positions were stronger than Medvedev's, did
not wish to have a powerful Prime Minister like Kocharian.
Rumors about Kocharian's return have pushed the ruling coalition (Republican
Party of Armenia, or RPA, Orinats Yerkir party and Prosperous Armenia party)
to initial a memorandum pledging support for the incumbent Sargsyan during
the next elections. However, if Orinats Yerkir causes no problems to the
ruling RPA and President Sargsyan, the situation with Prosperous Armenia is
different, should we recall that it signed the memorandum under heavy
presidential pressure.
Undoubtedly, the main opposition force - the Armenian National Congress -
will spare no effort to prevent return of Kocharian, whose extremely
negative attitude to ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrossian is not a secret for
anyone.
However, despite obstacles, Kocharian stands a good chance to regain the
presidential post, with possible support of Prosperous Armenia and ARF
Dashnaktsutyun. Besides, there is powerful Armenian Diaspora, which always
sympathized with the second President for his tough position on Turkey and
the Armenian Genocide issue.
Besides, all remember that the socio-economic situation in Armenia
considerably improved under Kocharian's rule, although it was partially
conditioned by the global economy growth. An ordinary citizen will not think
much of global recession that followed. He or she will remember than life
was better when Kocharian was the President.
And last but not least, the Kremlin's support may also have role in Armenian
presidential race, given friendly relations between Kocharian and Putin.
Hayk Khalatyan / PanARMENIAN News
[image: Armenian return: would Kocharian repeat Putin's path?]
October 1, 2011 - 09:19 AMT
*PanARMENIAN.Net* - Possible return of former President *Robert
Kocharian*to politics has been one of the most debated topics
recently. The latest
developments in Russia, where the current President openly declared his
support to Prime Minister at the next presidential race, poured oil on the
flames.
In one of his recent interviews, Kocharian said that his return to politics
will depend on three major factors: 1. Absence of sustainable progress and
emigration growth, 2. Demand for his return and 3. His inner confidence of
ability to radically improve the situation.
Judging by the above-mentioned, we can presume that the first condition for
Kocharian's return is obvious and in case he wishes, the second one will
become a reality as well. However, it's evident that return of Kocharian
will be a harder process than return of Putin. If the latter left the
presidential post to occupy the seat of Prime Minister and did not conceal
his being the master of Russia, the former faces a different situation.
Kocharian left the post amid bloody confrontation between the authorities
and opposition that resulted in death of 10 people on March 1, 2008.
According to experts, this was the main reason why Kocharian did not assume
the Prime Minister's duties, as many held him responsible for the bloodshed.
Besides, Serzh Sargsyan, whose positions were stronger than Medvedev's, did
not wish to have a powerful Prime Minister like Kocharian.
Rumors about Kocharian's return have pushed the ruling coalition (Republican
Party of Armenia, or RPA, Orinats Yerkir party and Prosperous Armenia party)
to initial a memorandum pledging support for the incumbent Sargsyan during
the next elections. However, if Orinats Yerkir causes no problems to the
ruling RPA and President Sargsyan, the situation with Prosperous Armenia is
different, should we recall that it signed the memorandum under heavy
presidential pressure.
Undoubtedly, the main opposition force - the Armenian National Congress -
will spare no effort to prevent return of Kocharian, whose extremely
negative attitude to ANC leader Levon Ter-Petrossian is not a secret for
anyone.
However, despite obstacles, Kocharian stands a good chance to regain the
presidential post, with possible support of Prosperous Armenia and ARF
Dashnaktsutyun. Besides, there is powerful Armenian Diaspora, which always
sympathized with the second President for his tough position on Turkey and
the Armenian Genocide issue.
Besides, all remember that the socio-economic situation in Armenia
considerably improved under Kocharian's rule, although it was partially
conditioned by the global economy growth. An ordinary citizen will not think
much of global recession that followed. He or she will remember than life
was better when Kocharian was the President.
And last but not least, the Kremlin's support may also have role in Armenian
presidential race, given friendly relations between Kocharian and Putin.
Hayk Khalatyan / PanARMENIAN News