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.
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.