“The Prime Minister in Armenia will be appointed by the influence of the Russian Federation. Here, it is not important who will the prime minister be, rather than how dedicated he is going to be to the Customs Union. The fact is that the Prime Minister, no matter he was saying that he is in favor of the Customs Union, however, everyone knows that he was also in favor of the EU Association Agreement. And, now, whoever the new prime minister will be, he should meet Russia’s requirements. Accordingly, the new government will be formed. It is not essential here whether there will be a coalition government, or the Republicans. It will be someone who will deserve the approval of the President of Russian Federation,” so interpreted the expert of political and electoral technologies Armen Badalyan, on April 4, in the conversation with Aravot.am.
We specified whether our prime minister will be appoint by Putin, Armen Badalyan replied, “He will not appoint, but his opinion will be of great importance in the issue of appointing a prime minister. Eventually, let’s not forget that Armenia is an independent state, but we know that now and on May when Armenian will be a full member of CU, actually will be transformed into RF unit. And the RF President’s impact will be much greater here. With regard to specifically which minister what position will take, it is not essential. It might be a coalition and might not.” To our question of given that the main topic of the initiatives organized by PAP initially was the resignation of the head of the government, which happened, now whether there is a possibility for the PAP to enter into coalition with the Republican Party again, Armen Badalyan replied, “As far as I know, the PAP’s objective was not only the dispersion of the government, moreover, the change in the economic policies implemented by the government. If we accept that Tigran Sargsyan was implementer of this economic policy, then we can say that the PAP at this moment has reached the target and the Government has resigned. And, in the future, whether it will enter into a coalition with the Republican Party or not, life will show. If the new government adopts a policy that would be in conformity with PAP’s economic policy, then it is not rules out that there will be a coalition government. Time will show.” According to Armen Badalyan, the prime minister’s most likely candidate is the candidate who will receive RF President’s support. He will be selected only based on these principles, for the West’s current influence on Armenia is insignificant, if not zero. That’s why the prime minister’s candidate is the candidate whom Vladimir Putin will find appropriate.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
Photo, AFP/Getty Images
