– Opinions are expressed in the press that the political wing of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) is shocked by the decision of Gagik Tsarukyan, the PAP leader, there are even speculations that, for example, Vartan Oskanian may vacate his seat and withdraw from the party:
– Let me answer briefly; Gagik Tsarukyan has made a decision not to announce his candidacy for this presidential election, and we respect this decision of Tsarukyan. The statement of the party’s political council says everything, and I can add nothing to it. No one is in shock, no one will vacate his seat, and no one will withdraw from the party. One shouldn’t make up legends having nothing to do with the reality, accept them as true and start to make different analyses based on those legends.
– But you were one of the members of the PAP who stated that the PAP had to participate in the election with its own candidate, and that that candidate had to be Gagik Tsarukyan.
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– Yes, I expressed my personal opinion that the PAP had to participate with its own candidate, and yes, for me, that candidate could only Gagik Tsarukyan. However, I repeat I respect our party leader’s decision, considering it a worthy one.
– Some people think that this decision has caused the ratings of the party and Tsarukyan himself to go down. At least different political analysts think so.
– Firstly, I would like someone to refer to a statement, in which Tsarukyan said that he would surely be nominated. There is and has been no such thing. There have been opinions of different members of our party, including me, but I repeat we respect Gagik Tsarukyan’s personal decision, which he made, I assure you, as a result of rather serious analyses.
As for the indecent publications in certain newspapers these days, I realize that “figures” of different caliber planned to fish in troubled waters, and now they use the newspapers under their control to spread garbage and stench, but those are meaningless efforts; they will not achieve what they want.
– Nonetheless, don’t you agree that a big part of society expected Tsarukyan’s nomination, and now they are disappointed?
– We have always been honest and frank to the public. Don’t worry, the people understand everything quite well, and I am sure that they will not misunderstand this move of Tsarukyan either.
Interviewed by Nelly GRIGORYAN
