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OSKANIAN THINKS PAP SHOULD DECLARE ITSELF OPPOSITION
http://armenianow.com/news/politics/45523/armenia_prosperous_armenia_vartan_oskanian_opposit ion_alternative
POLITICS | 22.04.13 | 13:36
A senior member of tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan's Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) believes it is time the political force declared itself an
opposition.
Vartan Oskanian, a former foreign minister who is now a top candidate
in the Yerevan City Council elections on the PAP's list, wrote on his
Facebook account on Monday that in his opinion the party thus far
naming itself an "alternative" to the government should change its
"political status" and declare itself an opposition at the beginning
of the next parliamentary session in September.
Oskanian said this should be made "considering the political situation
formed in the country as well as the possible developments in the
coming years, especially the fact that without declaring itself an
opposition the PAP has already assumed that role."
"I am convinced that the country, the political system and ultimately
the citizens will benefit from this," emphasized Oskanian.
The PAP, which quit the ruling coalition after last May's parliamentary
elections, has been reluctant to call itself an opposition and did
not proclaim itself one during the new convocation of the National
Assembly. Critics representing both opposition and pro-government
forces have challenged the party over the vague definition of its
status as "alternative".
Armen Ashotyan, the acting Minister of Education and Science and
senior member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, was quick
to scoff at Oskanian's comment.
Similarly through his Facebook account Ashotyan, in particular, wrote:
"And why did you not express and realize your desire to become an
opposition party last February when there was such an opportunity?"
The government representative hinted at the fact that the PAP refused
to field its candidate or back any other candidate in the presidential
election earlier this year.
Remarkably, unlike other major opposition groups the PAP appears
to be noncommittal yet on backing an emerging nonpartisan civic
movement announced last week by opposition Heritage party leader
Raffi Hovannisian.
http://armenianow.com/news/politics/45523/armenia_prosperous_armenia_vartan_oskanian_opposit ion_alternative
POLITICS | 22.04.13 | 13:36
A senior member of tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan's Prosperous Armenia Party
(PAP) believes it is time the political force declared itself an
opposition.
Vartan Oskanian, a former foreign minister who is now a top candidate
in the Yerevan City Council elections on the PAP's list, wrote on his
Facebook account on Monday that in his opinion the party thus far
naming itself an "alternative" to the government should change its
"political status" and declare itself an opposition at the beginning
of the next parliamentary session in September.
Oskanian said this should be made "considering the political situation
formed in the country as well as the possible developments in the
coming years, especially the fact that without declaring itself an
opposition the PAP has already assumed that role."
"I am convinced that the country, the political system and ultimately
the citizens will benefit from this," emphasized Oskanian.
The PAP, which quit the ruling coalition after last May's parliamentary
elections, has been reluctant to call itself an opposition and did
not proclaim itself one during the new convocation of the National
Assembly. Critics representing both opposition and pro-government
forces have challenged the party over the vague definition of its
status as "alternative".
Armen Ashotyan, the acting Minister of Education and Science and
senior member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, was quick
to scoff at Oskanian's comment.
Similarly through his Facebook account Ashotyan, in particular, wrote:
"And why did you not express and realize your desire to become an
opposition party last February when there was such an opportunity?"
The government representative hinted at the fact that the PAP refused
to field its candidate or back any other candidate in the presidential
election earlier this year.
Remarkably, unlike other major opposition groups the PAP appears
to be noncommittal yet on backing an emerging nonpartisan civic
movement announced last week by opposition Heritage party leader
Raffi Hovannisian.