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PAP'S LAST CHOICE
Member of Parliament Vartan Oskanian of the PAP stated in his Facebook
post that the PAP must assume the role of opposition and declare
itself opposition in September.
The rules of procedure of the National Assembly states that if a
parliamentary force does not form a government, it must posture as
opposition. Since 6 May 2012 the PAP has not made any such statements,
stating instead that the party is not opposition but alternative.
Now Vartan Oskanian states about declaration of opposition in
September. Vartan Oskanian says it is his personal opinion. The PAP
has an interesting style in general. Any statement differing from
the so-called standard party line is defined as a personal opinion,
leaving the flexible right to "official opinion" up to Gagik Tsarukyan.
In other words, the PAP voices popular issues, statements, and as
soon as the government complains about them, Gagik Tsarukyan settles
the situation by means of an "official statement" or official silence.
In this case the question is whether only Vartan Oskanian thinks
that the local election could be the last election for the PAP as an
alternative, and the PAP will run in the next election as opposition.
If it is only Vartan Oskanian's opinion, it is possible that the PAP
will not run in the next election. The next election will be in 2017.
If the institution of "personal opinion" is not a party style or game,
it is not ruled out that the PAP will not declare itself opposition and
Vartan Oskanian will leave the party. At least, the question is what
Oskanian will do if the PAP does not follow the "personal opinion"
and does not declare itself opposition. Even if Oskanian or others
do not leave the party, the party will become a participant of the
government's game. This will eventually neutralize the PAP and any
difference between it and the Rule of Law Party if there is such
difference now.
If the PAP declares itself opposition, a really interesting situation
will occur. It exists de facto but it will be laid down de jure. Now
the ANC that is performing PR functions for the PAP will have to
think about joining the PAP or to criticize the PAP and prevent it
from becoming the biggest opposition. In both cases the ANC will find
itself in an awkward situation.
The declaration of opposition of the PAP will be a challenge to
Raffi Hovannisian's New Armenia Movement because with its level of
organization de jure opposition PAP may hit New Armenia.
It is not accidental that the idea on declaring PAP as opposition
comes as soon as Raffi Hovannisian declares the movement New Armenia.
In addition, Serzh Sargsyan may use official opposition PAP as a tool
for controlling the movement and therefore encourage the PAP to follow
Oskanian's "personal opinion".
It will depend on the relations of Serzh Sargsyan and New Armenia,
and the agenda that New Armenia will put on the table of Armenias
domestic and international politics.
Apparently, the main two political poles which will try to negotiate
possible developments of the national elections of 2017-2018 are
outlining. It is obvious that Sargsyan's issue is to make sure these
poles do not become three or one.
Hakob Badalyan 21:47 22/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29693
Member of Parliament Vartan Oskanian of the PAP stated in his Facebook
post that the PAP must assume the role of opposition and declare
itself opposition in September.
The rules of procedure of the National Assembly states that if a
parliamentary force does not form a government, it must posture as
opposition. Since 6 May 2012 the PAP has not made any such statements,
stating instead that the party is not opposition but alternative.
Now Vartan Oskanian states about declaration of opposition in
September. Vartan Oskanian says it is his personal opinion. The PAP
has an interesting style in general. Any statement differing from
the so-called standard party line is defined as a personal opinion,
leaving the flexible right to "official opinion" up to Gagik Tsarukyan.
In other words, the PAP voices popular issues, statements, and as
soon as the government complains about them, Gagik Tsarukyan settles
the situation by means of an "official statement" or official silence.
In this case the question is whether only Vartan Oskanian thinks
that the local election could be the last election for the PAP as an
alternative, and the PAP will run in the next election as opposition.
If it is only Vartan Oskanian's opinion, it is possible that the PAP
will not run in the next election. The next election will be in 2017.
If the institution of "personal opinion" is not a party style or game,
it is not ruled out that the PAP will not declare itself opposition and
Vartan Oskanian will leave the party. At least, the question is what
Oskanian will do if the PAP does not follow the "personal opinion"
and does not declare itself opposition. Even if Oskanian or others
do not leave the party, the party will become a participant of the
government's game. This will eventually neutralize the PAP and any
difference between it and the Rule of Law Party if there is such
difference now.
If the PAP declares itself opposition, a really interesting situation
will occur. It exists de facto but it will be laid down de jure. Now
the ANC that is performing PR functions for the PAP will have to
think about joining the PAP or to criticize the PAP and prevent it
from becoming the biggest opposition. In both cases the ANC will find
itself in an awkward situation.
The declaration of opposition of the PAP will be a challenge to
Raffi Hovannisian's New Armenia Movement because with its level of
organization de jure opposition PAP may hit New Armenia.
It is not accidental that the idea on declaring PAP as opposition
comes as soon as Raffi Hovannisian declares the movement New Armenia.
In addition, Serzh Sargsyan may use official opposition PAP as a tool
for controlling the movement and therefore encourage the PAP to follow
Oskanian's "personal opinion".
It will depend on the relations of Serzh Sargsyan and New Armenia,
and the agenda that New Armenia will put on the table of Armenias
domestic and international politics.
Apparently, the main two political poles which will try to negotiate
possible developments of the national elections of 2017-2018 are
outlining. It is obvious that Sargsyan's issue is to make sure these
poles do not become three or one.
Hakob Badalyan 21:47 22/04/2013 Story from Lragir.am News:
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/29693