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Vote 2013: Single candidate, `dark horses', party platforms and othe

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  • Vote 2013: Single candidate, `dark horses', party platforms and othe

    Vote 2013: Single candidate, `dark horses', party platforms and other
    outstanding issues

    ANALYSIS | 16.11.12 | 12:15

    By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
    ArmeniaNow correspondent


    By the end of November Armenian opposition forces are likely to
    determine their format of participation in the upcoming presidential
    election. Two questions remain central on the current political agenda
    - will the opposition be able to field a single candidate and will
    `dark horses' be fielded as well.

    After the proposal made by the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) to
    switch to a parliamentary system of government after the 2017
    legislative polls active consultations began among opposition forces
    in Armenia. However, apart from the negotiations on the nomination of
    a single alternative candidate, parties are also trying to advance
    their agendas. And a possible single candidate will find it difficult
    to combine all of these agendas.

    For example, the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) puts
    forward regime change goals, and this opposition alliance is ready for
    consolidation with other forces only if together they can achieve a
    change of the current administration and establish a `democratic
    order'.

    Dashnaktsutyun considers a switch to a parliamentary form of
    government as part of the `national-social revolution' and says it
    will support the candidate who will undertake to do so.

    PAP, which suggested a transition to the parliamentary system of
    government, has not spoken much about the longer-term goals it
    pursues. Some clarification was presented by PAP lawmaker, former
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Vartan Oskanian. Then, suddenly,
    ex-president Robert Kocharyan added his voice of support for a
    transition to a 100-percent proportional ballot system at
    parliamentary elections. He said that the majority system allows
    authorities to `feudalize' their constituencies and reproduce
    themselves.

    The Heritage Party, in fact, agreed with the ideas that have been put
    forward, but it does not want to cooperate with PAP, which it
    considers to be part of the regime. Besides, Heritage has already
    suggested its leader Raffi Hovannisian as the possible single
    candidate.

    `In the current political situation it is difficult to find a single
    candidate from the opposition as they all have different agendas,'
    said deputy chairman of Heritage Armen Martirosyan.

    In fact, the single candidate will have to carry out the change of
    power as the ANC wants it, make a `national-social revolution' as is
    desired by Dashnaktsutyun, dissolve the parliament after the elections
    according to Heritage's vision and before that persuade Heritage's
    Hovannisian not to run for president. And most importantly he must be
    able to provide a `decent' alternative to incumbent president Serzh
    Sargsyan, which is apparently the request of PAP.

    Oskanian said that PAP has already met with the ANC, ARF and even the
    coalition Orinats Yerkir party, and that by the end of this week they
    also expect to meet with Free Democrats. This will signify the end of
    the first phase of political consultations. He said that the issue of
    the nomination of candidates for the presidency at this point is not
    considered. According to him, if there is an agreement on the agenda,
    it will be easier to decide on the candidate.

    But, apparently, some `dark horses' may also be taking part in the
    election. These are people whom most haven't expected to become
    candidates, but who may still prove to be interesting candidates.

    For example, the chairman of the Hanrapetutyun party Aram Sargsyan on
    November 15 met with U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern and
    discussed with him the visit that he made to the United States a few
    weeks ago, but most importantly his attitude to the forthcoming
    elections. Sargsyan is enjoys considerable respect among political
    circles and is not considered a `conjuncture' politician.

    Another `dark horse' may be the vice-chairman of Free Democrats Anush
    Sedrakyan. She may represent not so much her party as active civil
    society. Besides the fact that Sedrakyan may become the first female
    presidential candidate in Armenia, she claims to have a clear concept
    of the liberal democratic development of the country and has a
    reputation for a disinterested politician.

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