WILL RPA WIN "UNCEREMONIOUSLY" OR YIELD POWER?
Naira Hayrumyan
Country - Monday, 18 March 2013, 11:50
The municipal election of Yerevan has a chance to be the first "fair"
election in the history of independent Armenia. Chances are big taking
into account the wave of protest following the presidential elections
when it became clear that Serzh Sargsyan received majority of votes
mainly in remote villages where ballot stuffing is easier. It will be
hard to carry out the do the same thing in Yerevan. Hence, if good
control is ensured, fair elections are quite possible. Under these
conditions, the main question is whether the RPA will try to win
"unceremoniously" or if there is already a decision to cede Yerevan
Council to the opposition "for the sake of democracy". The fact that
the head of Taron Margaryan's headquarters is Eduard Sharmazanov means
that Republicans will not treat the upcoming election seriously. The
"young guard" is given a chance to perform and figure out if the
young generation will make it without the help of elder colleagues.
Although, the elder colleagues understand that the youth will be unable
to win through legal methods. The RPA political board will be happy
with any outcome, whether victory of young Komsomol through illegal
methods or victory of the opposition. In the second case, the RPA would
naturally prefer victory of Prosperous Armenia, not Heritage with its
civil list. If Vartan Oskanian is elected mayor, Europe will define it
as a leap toward democracy. If Oskanian tries to go against the flow,
the Mormons will be mentioned again. Actually, the main competitor of
the civil society in the municipal elections will not be the RPA but
Vartan Oskanian. It makes no difference whether Oskanian will "take"
Yerevan fairly or Gagik Tsarukyan will pay the bill.
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/country/view/29315
Naira Hayrumyan
Country - Monday, 18 March 2013, 11:50
The municipal election of Yerevan has a chance to be the first "fair"
election in the history of independent Armenia. Chances are big taking
into account the wave of protest following the presidential elections
when it became clear that Serzh Sargsyan received majority of votes
mainly in remote villages where ballot stuffing is easier. It will be
hard to carry out the do the same thing in Yerevan. Hence, if good
control is ensured, fair elections are quite possible. Under these
conditions, the main question is whether the RPA will try to win
"unceremoniously" or if there is already a decision to cede Yerevan
Council to the opposition "for the sake of democracy". The fact that
the head of Taron Margaryan's headquarters is Eduard Sharmazanov means
that Republicans will not treat the upcoming election seriously. The
"young guard" is given a chance to perform and figure out if the
young generation will make it without the help of elder colleagues.
Although, the elder colleagues understand that the youth will be unable
to win through legal methods. The RPA political board will be happy
with any outcome, whether victory of young Komsomol through illegal
methods or victory of the opposition. In the second case, the RPA would
naturally prefer victory of Prosperous Armenia, not Heritage with its
civil list. If Vartan Oskanian is elected mayor, Europe will define it
as a leap toward democracy. If Oskanian tries to go against the flow,
the Mormons will be mentioned again. Actually, the main competitor of
the civil society in the municipal elections will not be the RPA but
Vartan Oskanian. It makes no difference whether Oskanian will "take"
Yerevan fairly or Gagik Tsarukyan will pay the bill.
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/country/view/29315