Galust Sahakyan, the leader of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) parliamentary group, who doesn’t see “political prerequisites” for the opposition’s unification, says
* Do you think it is possible that the opposition will unite before the presidential election, taking into account the fact that there is no clear process yet, but different forces already have different ambitions?
* It is hard to predict. Admittedly, such a task has been put forward now, but political forces don’t talk about a specific strategy or its future progress. Moreover, let me note that political prerequisites for unification are not visible at the moment. If there was such a task, that process should have started before the National Assembly election.
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In any case, we think that every agreement that is made or may be made on the political stage is positive.
* Aren’t there any concerns in the ruling Republican Party about the possible unification of the opposition? If the opposition unites, a serious struggle awaits the administration in the presidential election.
* Naturally, our only concern regarding the presidential election is holding a very good election. In all other cases, we ourselves think that the more approaches there are regarding the presidential election, the more possibilities the society will have to make up its mind.
* So, if the opposition unites, that doesn’t frighten you, the administration?
* Nothing frightens us, because we are quite serious, determined. In the framework of the responsibility and political capital we have, we think the election will be held very positively. Naturally, there is no force, let alone leader, on the political stage yet that will be able to initiate considerably more processes.
* In 2008, when the opposition was mostly united, the first president was a serious alternative. Doesn’t his factor constrain the administration now?
* From merely party perspective, it will be very good, if no one participates, only the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) candidate does. However, from the perspective of state interests, the more factors like this there are, the stronger the positions of Armenia on the international arena will be. It is a necessity for our country. Not to mention that our society will become more determined. And we assess the results in the following manner – I don’t think that participating in the presidential election is the only condition to become the president. It is a way of struggle, during which political teams become more representative to the society. It is also experience, probation to become stronger on the political stage.
* Although it is too early for official nominations, but the name of Levon Ter-Petrossian, as well as Vartan Oskanian and Raffi Hovhannisyan, as a candidate for the fourth President of the Republic of Armenia is circulated – who do you think is the most serious alternative to the current president?
* One should consider all of them just as candidates for the president. And generally, in terms of the state development, let me repeat we are very determined – the political capital that the RPA has and the reputation that the country’s president has both among the people and abroad are convincing for us. In case of working more carefully and determinedly, both the election will be held well and Serzh Sargsyan will succeed.
* So, you don’t see an alternative to Serzh Sargsyan?
* All those who will announce their candidacies will be alternatives, which will make the political stage more active. The more active the political stage is, the easier problems facing the state are resolved.
NELLY GRIGORYAN
