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THOUSANDS ATTEND ARF ELECTION RALLY
asbarez
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
The participants at Wednesday's ARF election rally
YEREVAN-Thousands of Armenian voters turned out Wednesday at Liberty
Square for an election rally to kick off the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation's parliamentary election campaign.
With a pledge to return power to the people and a comprehensive
regime change, the ARF held its election rally one day after unveiling
its election platform to reporters at a gathering on Monday held at
Erebouni Hotel.
"We are not here to claim power by force or to buy it with bribes
like others do," said ARF parliamentary bloc chairman and Bureau
member Vahan Hovanessian. "We are not here to beg for power. We are
here to take what belongs to us based on the Constitution. We want
to return the power to you-the people."
Saying that international experts had praised the ARF's election
platform, Hovanessian proclaimed: "This is it, the real revolutionary
spirit. If we manage to make it a part of our lives with your help,
then not only the coming generation but you too will witness the
revolution."
Hovannesian also emphasized the need for voters to ban together and
not allow "corrupt individuals and thieves" from becoming members
of parliament.
"Now that we are strong," he said "will we allow a corrupt individual
to enter the parliament? No. Will we allow thieves to again sit in
parliament? No."
Dismissing pledges by the ruling Republican Party of Armenia of
sweeping changes in country, the leaders of the ARF speaking at the
party delineated the poor socio-economic conditions plaguing Armenia,
mass exodus, social injustice and the current regime's inability to
resolve the country's problems as a wake up call for change.
One of the proposals set for by the ARF is a switch from a presidential
system of government to that of a parliamentary system.
It is through such drastic reform that the ARF is hoping for what
it calls "comprehensive regime change" in the country that "serves
the people".
"This is a government that until now was saying that everything
is alright in our country and bragged about its achievements. Now
when they say 'let's change to believe' that sounds pathetic," ARF
parliamentary bloc member and representative of the ARF Supreme Council
of Armenia Armen Rustamian declared in reference to the Republican
Party's campaign slogan.
"Because, if things are fine, what should we change? If things are
bad, however, why shouldn't we change them? And this is what we must
do together," said Rustamian adding that "It would be meaningless to
expect anything serious without" a comprehensive regime change.
Campaigning under the banner of "Liberty. Justice. The ARF," the party
unveiled its slate of 85 candidates for the proportional ballot and
another list of names who will be competing on the single-mandate
slate during the upcoming May 6 parliamentary elections.
The ARF also unveiled its election platform, which calls for drastic
reforms in domestic and foreign policy, including the need to reform
economic structures in a manner that guarantees tangible living
wages for the population and protects the country from corruption
and ensures social justice.
asbarez
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
The participants at Wednesday's ARF election rally
YEREVAN-Thousands of Armenian voters turned out Wednesday at Liberty
Square for an election rally to kick off the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation's parliamentary election campaign.
With a pledge to return power to the people and a comprehensive
regime change, the ARF held its election rally one day after unveiling
its election platform to reporters at a gathering on Monday held at
Erebouni Hotel.
"We are not here to claim power by force or to buy it with bribes
like others do," said ARF parliamentary bloc chairman and Bureau
member Vahan Hovanessian. "We are not here to beg for power. We are
here to take what belongs to us based on the Constitution. We want
to return the power to you-the people."
Saying that international experts had praised the ARF's election
platform, Hovanessian proclaimed: "This is it, the real revolutionary
spirit. If we manage to make it a part of our lives with your help,
then not only the coming generation but you too will witness the
revolution."
Hovannesian also emphasized the need for voters to ban together and
not allow "corrupt individuals and thieves" from becoming members
of parliament.
"Now that we are strong," he said "will we allow a corrupt individual
to enter the parliament? No. Will we allow thieves to again sit in
parliament? No."
Dismissing pledges by the ruling Republican Party of Armenia of
sweeping changes in country, the leaders of the ARF speaking at the
party delineated the poor socio-economic conditions plaguing Armenia,
mass exodus, social injustice and the current regime's inability to
resolve the country's problems as a wake up call for change.
One of the proposals set for by the ARF is a switch from a presidential
system of government to that of a parliamentary system.
It is through such drastic reform that the ARF is hoping for what
it calls "comprehensive regime change" in the country that "serves
the people".
"This is a government that until now was saying that everything
is alright in our country and bragged about its achievements. Now
when they say 'let's change to believe' that sounds pathetic," ARF
parliamentary bloc member and representative of the ARF Supreme Council
of Armenia Armen Rustamian declared in reference to the Republican
Party's campaign slogan.
"Because, if things are fine, what should we change? If things are
bad, however, why shouldn't we change them? And this is what we must
do together," said Rustamian adding that "It would be meaningless to
expect anything serious without" a comprehensive regime change.
Campaigning under the banner of "Liberty. Justice. The ARF," the party
unveiled its slate of 85 candidates for the proportional ballot and
another list of names who will be competing on the single-mandate
slate during the upcoming May 6 parliamentary elections.
The ARF also unveiled its election platform, which calls for drastic
reforms in domestic and foreign policy, including the need to reform
economic structures in a manner that guarantees tangible living
wages for the population and protects the country from corruption
and ensures social justice.