Hovhannes Sahakyan, a Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP, explains the passiveness of political forces by this
* On August 5, announcements of candidates for local elections will start – has the RPA clarified to what extent you will participate in local elections?
* Our participation in local elections is not an aim in itself and it is not necessary at all that the RPA participates in all communities where there are elections. We should take into account our capabilities – why not, also the work done – in a certain community. That is the reason why our approach is the following – we have to necessarily participate in the elections and have a candidate in communities, where we have things to do. Those communities are many. We are still analyzing which candidates in the given communities have reputation and can be announced and win once again. There are no concrete numbers yet, but in the communities, where the community leaders are from the RPA, we will announce them. We will also have some progress. There will be people who don’t represent the RPA, but have enough experience and reputation and we will endorse them.
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* In the communities, where the RPA got few votes in the parliamentary election, will you have aspirations in local elections again?
* The results of the parliamentary election, certainly, are significant and important, but it is not the only criterion and factor, which we take into account while announcing a
candidate for the community leader in the election or in terms of endorsing any candidate. We take into account the work the given candidate has done in the given community and the reputation he has. Also, a set of other factors.
* In the context of the local elections to take place in the short-run, what reputation does the RPA enjoy, in your assessment?
* As the head of the RPA district council of Spitak, I must say that in this region, the RPA enjoys a good reputation.
Let me also say that the very local elections show the role and weight of political forces, because local elections are harder elections. They require concrete deeds, projects, trust in a concrete person, concrete and everyday work. Local elections, in my opinion, are more responsible and important elections. I think that it is also the reason why many political forces don’t venture to take part in local elections. Because here forces should be compared not only by statements, benefitting from this or that political process, but also by the everyday work done and being done with the people.
* Which political forces do you mean?
* Local elections are round the corner. We will see in only one month what political force will participate how and according to that, we will make our assessments. The logic of making a noise about some political problems, organizing certain processes falsely aiming at building a civil society doesn’t apply to local elections. Local elections require concrete work and reputation.
* Have the RPA and the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) come to an agreement; will the communities, where the PAP won more votes in the parliamentary election, be “given” to the PAP, particularly given the fact that the tendency of developments and speculations is that?
* Let me remind that there were speculations about agreements during the National Assembly election too. However, our country’s president has adopted a way of honest struggle. The parliamentary election proved that at least for us, it is justified and useful. It is useful, not because the RPA won the most votes, but because our country was recognized as a democratic state by mature European democracies.
These elections are not an exception and we have no right to predetermine or agree. There may just be communities, in which the RPA, sensing that it has no candidate that can win, will not announce a candidate. Or the other way around. One shouldn’t see any problem here. It is just about tactics and strategy and if we pursue them successfully, first of all the people will gain.
NELLY GRIGORYAN
