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ARMENIAN OPPOSITION LAUNCHES WEEK OF ROUND-THE-CLOCK PROTESTS DEMANDING SNAP ELECTIONS
Global Insight
October 3, 2011
BYLINE: Lilit Gevorgyan
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) launched a week of round-the-clock
protests on 30 September. Around 6,000 protestors gathered at the
iconic central Freedom Square in the capital Yerevan at a regular
protest organised by HAK. In an unusual move, the protestors refused
to disperse and called on the HAK leaders to resort to more drastic
measures. Despite the initial reluctance the HAK leaders convened
a short meeting after which it was declared that a week of non-stop
demonstration will take place. The protesters demand early and fair
presidential and parliamentary elections. According to the latest
media reports after two days of protests the police has told the
demonstrators to end the sit-in rally.
Significance:The protestors' determination to adopt more aggressive
tactics and induce political change is indicative of their frustration
with the lack of any significant progress in the talks between the
Armenian opposition parties, united under HAK, and the government. The
only tangible outcome of the seven months of talks has been the
release of political prisoners. However, the authorities are not
showing any signs of further compromise. Furthermore, the majority
of the Armenian population, despite the deepening social discontent,
remain reluctant to follow HAK and its leader, the first Armenian
president Levon Ter-Petrossian. He is often blamed for failing to
see a true democratic election back in mid 1990s, something that he
never has been held accountable for. Moreover, the determination of
the protestors to effectively lead the leaders of HAK proves that
the problem with the Armenian opposition movement is not the voter
apathy but weak political leadership. Should the police resort to
violence the situation may escalate and bring in other elements of
the political opposition that so far have not been active on the scene.
Global Insight
October 3, 2011
BYLINE: Lilit Gevorgyan
The Armenian National Congress (HAK) launched a week of round-the-clock
protests on 30 September. Around 6,000 protestors gathered at the
iconic central Freedom Square in the capital Yerevan at a regular
protest organised by HAK. In an unusual move, the protestors refused
to disperse and called on the HAK leaders to resort to more drastic
measures. Despite the initial reluctance the HAK leaders convened
a short meeting after which it was declared that a week of non-stop
demonstration will take place. The protesters demand early and fair
presidential and parliamentary elections. According to the latest
media reports after two days of protests the police has told the
demonstrators to end the sit-in rally.
Significance:The protestors' determination to adopt more aggressive
tactics and induce political change is indicative of their frustration
with the lack of any significant progress in the talks between the
Armenian opposition parties, united under HAK, and the government. The
only tangible outcome of the seven months of talks has been the
release of political prisoners. However, the authorities are not
showing any signs of further compromise. Furthermore, the majority
of the Armenian population, despite the deepening social discontent,
remain reluctant to follow HAK and its leader, the first Armenian
president Levon Ter-Petrossian. He is often blamed for failing to
see a true democratic election back in mid 1990s, something that he
never has been held accountable for. Moreover, the determination of
the protestors to effectively lead the leaders of HAK proves that
the problem with the Armenian opposition movement is not the voter
apathy but weak political leadership. Should the police resort to
violence the situation may escalate and bring in other elements of
the political opposition that so far have not been active on the scene.