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BENEFICIAL BARGAIN?: ARMENIA'S EX FOREIGN MINISTER JOINS THE PROSPEROUS ARMENIA
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
15.02.12 | 13:19
Former Foreign Minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian's statement on
membership to Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) made public on Tuesday,
caused discussions over the new configuration of political forces.
Oskanian's decision is viewed as "a mutually beneficial deal", which
accommodates space for second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan's
return (to big politics).
Many people are sure that Oskanian has not made this decision alone,
moreover remembering the assessments made by Oskanian and Civilitas
Foundation (headed by him) about Armenia's present economic and
political situation and voiced for several years.
"Most probably, this is a self-sacrifice for his [Oskanian's] chief -
Kocharyan," says political analyst Anush Sedrakyan ironically.
Stepan Safaryan, head of Heritage parliamentary faction, believes that
Oskanian's membership to PAP confirms the widely-spread viewpoint
that PAP is Kocharyan's political support base and a party that was
de-facto created by the then president.
However, it is hard to forecast what influence the strengthening of
this viewpoint, as well as Oskanina's membership to PAP would have
upon PAP's rating; some believe that it will fall, judging by the
mere assumption that "people have not forgiven Kocharyan yet."
Political technologies expert Armen Badalyan, however, is sure that PAP
needs political figures, and Oskanian is one of the best well-educated
political figures among them.
"As a political force PAP has problems, there are no political figures
there, and in this respect, Oskanian's membership can be viewed as
an important achievement," Badalyan says.
The issue of PAP's not being a political force has been voiced since
last week, when three parliamentary parties - Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA), Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) Party, and Heritage
Party were elected members of the European People's Party, whereas
PAP's membership was declined reasoning that it is not a party but
is rather a political platform which serves its leader.
"In this respect, no matter how strange it may seem, involving
political figures in PAP this party tries to be a political force,
and it will only benefit by this achievement," says public relations
specialist Karen Kocharyan.
Political analysts are sure that Oskanian will also benefit, getting an
opportunity to finally realize his Rural Development Program presented
yet since 2007, which caused suspects that Oskanian has ambitions to
become either a prime minister or a president.
By Gayane Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
15.02.12 | 13:19
Former Foreign Minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian's statement on
membership to Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) made public on Tuesday,
caused discussions over the new configuration of political forces.
Oskanian's decision is viewed as "a mutually beneficial deal", which
accommodates space for second President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan's
return (to big politics).
Many people are sure that Oskanian has not made this decision alone,
moreover remembering the assessments made by Oskanian and Civilitas
Foundation (headed by him) about Armenia's present economic and
political situation and voiced for several years.
"Most probably, this is a self-sacrifice for his [Oskanian's] chief -
Kocharyan," says political analyst Anush Sedrakyan ironically.
Stepan Safaryan, head of Heritage parliamentary faction, believes that
Oskanian's membership to PAP confirms the widely-spread viewpoint
that PAP is Kocharyan's political support base and a party that was
de-facto created by the then president.
However, it is hard to forecast what influence the strengthening of
this viewpoint, as well as Oskanina's membership to PAP would have
upon PAP's rating; some believe that it will fall, judging by the
mere assumption that "people have not forgiven Kocharyan yet."
Political technologies expert Armen Badalyan, however, is sure that PAP
needs political figures, and Oskanian is one of the best well-educated
political figures among them.
"As a political force PAP has problems, there are no political figures
there, and in this respect, Oskanian's membership can be viewed as
an important achievement," Badalyan says.
The issue of PAP's not being a political force has been voiced since
last week, when three parliamentary parties - Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA), Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) Party, and Heritage
Party were elected members of the European People's Party, whereas
PAP's membership was declined reasoning that it is not a party but
is rather a political platform which serves its leader.
"In this respect, no matter how strange it may seem, involving
political figures in PAP this party tries to be a political force,
and it will only benefit by this achievement," says public relations
specialist Karen Kocharyan.
Political analysts are sure that Oskanian will also benefit, getting an
opportunity to finally realize his Rural Development Program presented
yet since 2007, which caused suspects that Oskanian has ambitions to
become either a prime minister or a president.