WHAT'S THE POINT OF COALITION?
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics26246.html
Published: 15:51:39 - 18/05/2012
Eduard Sharmazanov has overcome the psychological barrier and stated
that the coalition is not an end in itself and it is possible to do
without it. So, if Gagik Tsarukyan does not state to support Serzh
Sargsyan's candidacy in the elections, a coalition government may
not be formed.
Why does Armenia need a coalition? This question has been asked but
not answered. The ruling Republican Party has enough votes to form
government and it does not need the coalition for the solution of
issues of local importance. A coalition may be necessary if national
issues will be on stake, like the Karabakh conflict and the Armenian
and Turkish relations.
The next parliament will have to deal with these issues, in particular
the Karabakh issue. One of the American states has suddenly called
on the president to recognize the independence of Karabakh. It is
evident that there are countries which are ready to do that. The
European Union also demands free access to Karabakh, and it means
that the developments regarding the Karabakh issue may activate. Is
it connected with escalation in Iran or is it the wish of the West to
withdraw Armenia from the Russian zone of influence while the essence
is not important?
The important thing is that despite negotiations on recognition, i.e.
a positive trend for Armenians, in reality the issue of the territories
which were not part of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region
have not been solved. How will Armenia react if those eager to
recognize the independence of Karabakh are found to do that within
the former NKAR borders?
It is unlikely that Serzh Sargsyan wishes to take responsibility
for such a tough decision. The coalition would not only share
responsibility but also justify refusal. For example, just
like it happened with the Armenian-Turkish relations when Serge
Sargsyan allowed himself to be "persuaded", but then the Armenian
diplomats repeatedly referred to the backlash of the society to such
normalization, and the ARF even left the coalition for this reason.
Perhaps, Serzh Sargsyan cannot agree with Gagik Tsarukyan on this
issue. Besides, prior to the elections on April 26 Tsarukyan himself
told the "Russian newspaper": "We are happy that the Russian Federation
has again become one of the world poles of attraction and influence
under Vladimir Putin. We have already issued readiness to cooperate
in all directions to spread the idea of the Eurasian Union".
On May 16 Tigran Sargsyan's article was published which dwells on
the ineffectiveness for Armenia to enter the Eurasian Union and that
"Armenians face Europe".
Most probably, these are the questions Tsarukyan and Sargsyan cannot
agree since it is possible to agree on the presidential candidates
first and then renege on the agreements. They can ensure that Tsarukyan
agrees to form a coalition and support Sargsyan, Vartan Oskanian and
others leave the PAP faction and nominate their own candidate.
But here is the snag of the coalition. Perhaps, foreign political
factors are stronger than domestic issues.
From: Baghdasarian
Naira Hayrumyan
Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/engsrc/politics26246.html
Published: 15:51:39 - 18/05/2012
Eduard Sharmazanov has overcome the psychological barrier and stated
that the coalition is not an end in itself and it is possible to do
without it. So, if Gagik Tsarukyan does not state to support Serzh
Sargsyan's candidacy in the elections, a coalition government may
not be formed.
Why does Armenia need a coalition? This question has been asked but
not answered. The ruling Republican Party has enough votes to form
government and it does not need the coalition for the solution of
issues of local importance. A coalition may be necessary if national
issues will be on stake, like the Karabakh conflict and the Armenian
and Turkish relations.
The next parliament will have to deal with these issues, in particular
the Karabakh issue. One of the American states has suddenly called
on the president to recognize the independence of Karabakh. It is
evident that there are countries which are ready to do that. The
European Union also demands free access to Karabakh, and it means
that the developments regarding the Karabakh issue may activate. Is
it connected with escalation in Iran or is it the wish of the West to
withdraw Armenia from the Russian zone of influence while the essence
is not important?
The important thing is that despite negotiations on recognition, i.e.
a positive trend for Armenians, in reality the issue of the territories
which were not part of the former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region
have not been solved. How will Armenia react if those eager to
recognize the independence of Karabakh are found to do that within
the former NKAR borders?
It is unlikely that Serzh Sargsyan wishes to take responsibility
for such a tough decision. The coalition would not only share
responsibility but also justify refusal. For example, just
like it happened with the Armenian-Turkish relations when Serge
Sargsyan allowed himself to be "persuaded", but then the Armenian
diplomats repeatedly referred to the backlash of the society to such
normalization, and the ARF even left the coalition for this reason.
Perhaps, Serzh Sargsyan cannot agree with Gagik Tsarukyan on this
issue. Besides, prior to the elections on April 26 Tsarukyan himself
told the "Russian newspaper": "We are happy that the Russian Federation
has again become one of the world poles of attraction and influence
under Vladimir Putin. We have already issued readiness to cooperate
in all directions to spread the idea of the Eurasian Union".
On May 16 Tigran Sargsyan's article was published which dwells on
the ineffectiveness for Armenia to enter the Eurasian Union and that
"Armenians face Europe".
Most probably, these are the questions Tsarukyan and Sargsyan cannot
agree since it is possible to agree on the presidential candidates
first and then renege on the agreements. They can ensure that Tsarukyan
agrees to form a coalition and support Sargsyan, Vartan Oskanian and
others leave the PAP faction and nominate their own candidate.
But here is the snag of the coalition. Perhaps, foreign political
factors are stronger than domestic issues.
From: Baghdasarian