Some people commented on Raffi Hovhannisyan’s proposals, the “application” for 8 important offices in particular, with malevolence; he wants an office, he betrays the movement, he engages in bargaining etc. Firstly, that figure has proved that it is ruled out that he may take any immoral step; as many wrong, uncalculated, and illogical steps as you like, but not immoral. Both internal and foreign policies are based on trade. If you don’t have enough strength to utterly beat your opponent, you have to negotiate with him, offer your conditions, and he should offer his. It is natural that parties start to negotiate, bargain from the threshold that is the most advantageous for them, but then, if they are guided by negotiations, they lower the threshold to the mutually acceptable limits. That principle should work particularly in internal policy, where, as Raffi Hovhannisyan rightly states, there is no enemy. Will Serzh Sargsyan agree to such negotiations, and if he agrees, to what extent will he decrease the number of offices, will it be acceptable for Raffi Hovhannisyan? These are the questions, which certainly are hard to answer at this moment. However, let us just theoretically assume that the president fully or partially meets these demands. According to the Constitution, he appoints people to a few of the above-mentioned offices, the Attorney General, for example. According to the program proposed by Raffi Hovhannisyan, Serzh Sargsyan appoints to that office, say Zaruhi Postanjyan, at his request. After that, who will be responsible for Zaruhi’s right or wrong actions, Sargsyan or Hovhannisyan? Perhaps the people? Let us talk about the people. By saying “the people,” Raffi Hovhannisyan and his supporters mean people who stand in Freedom Square during rallies; let’s say there are 100 thousand people. The Heritage Party leader basically believes in direct democracy, open civic forums, a shadow cabinet etc. Therefore, while taking his steps, he should consult the people
in the way he understands the word “people.” Suppose after reaching the above-mentioned agreement, Raffi asks the people gathered in Freedom Square: “Folks, do you approve of my demand from Serzh Sargsyan that Zaruhi Postanjyan be appointed the Attorney General.” Certainly, it is very probable that those gathered will approve of that candidacy. And what if they start to chant “Jhangiryan”? Will Raffi Hovhannisyan change his decision? Or will he not listen to the voice of the people in that case? Who will be the Attorney General, Aghvan Vardanyan, Zaruhi Postanjyan, or Gagik Jhangiryan won’t make any essential difference, because all three of them will work within the limits of the same system. However, it is a different subject. Let us talk about a more important office, the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Suppose Raffi Hovhannisyan consults those gathered in the square: “Folks, do you want Armenia to recognize the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic?” and 100 thousand people shout: “Yes.” Then he continues to consult: “Do you want the Western Armenia, Nakhijevan, and Javakhk to be liberated?” And again everyone shouts as one man: “Yes.” “Well, then,” Raffi Hovhannisyan will conclude after consulting the people, “the most suitable candidate for the Minister of Foreign Affairs is Zhirayr Sefilyan.” After that, Mr. Sefilyan will be appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and will carry out the policy of the people gathered in the square. Can you imagine what consequences such a policy can bring?
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
