Recently, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe passed a resolution, in which clause 11.2 states in Armenia “the ongoing polarization of the political environment, including over the constitutional reforms”. I do not know whether it is good or bad. On the one hand, any polarization is certainly not good, it is desirable to live in solidarity. On the other hand, it is not quite clear what the PACE wants to avoid having political polarization regarding the Constitutional reforms, that everyone, including the political forces, would say either “yes” or “no” to the draft of the amendments. In this case, it can be also said that, for example, in Scotland, a year ago when a referendum on independence was conducted, there was also a political polarization. A part of the population was in favor of the independence, the other part was against it, and the political forces were carrying out respective campaigns. It is the other side of the question if the PACE had expressed concern that the results of the referendum in Armenia were rigged, this concern, I think, would be quite relevant.
Political polarization over this matter is very natural. It is normal that during the 4-day session to be commenced on Monday, the lawmakers of opposite camps will vote differently on this issue. It is normal also that the issue of the constitutional amendments enabled the semi-forgotten political figures and man-parties to demonstrate certain activeness. The next similar opportunity will be available only one year later – prior to the parliamentary elections. And these figures, too, driven by their own interests, announce, “our party is in favor of” (“against”) the constitutional amendments (although, in reality, there is no party at all). Hence, the political polarization exists on this level.
Only one thing is important to me that this polarization does not turn into a human and personal confrontation, a life and death fight. Is it possible to be in favor of or against something but not to seek enemies, attach labels and not to try hurting the one facing you? I think it is possible. But in this case, you have to give up the temptation of catching delighted roars or even applauses. Because it is possible to extract roars and applauses only by finding a specific personal target and “reproaching” the latter.
There are people who cannot live without applauses. Their task is to come out to the Mejlis. Or, to the Maidan.
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Aram ABRAHAMYAN
Note for the Author: Political polarization is neither natural nor good for a democratic society or a country. It creates environment where political party’s cannot cooperate and agree on compromise to move peoples business forward. Good recent example that comes to mind is “Affordable Care Act” law (better known by the name of “Obamacare”) passed by the United States Congress in 2010 despite strong objections from the Republican party. This created political polarization (mistrust) and the US Congress is unable even to pass the Federal Budget for last three years. The problem is, Armenia is not a democratic country, there is no political process in Armenia to speak of, and minority views are always ignored. There has been one party rule in Armenia for last 15 or so years (no matter how you look at it) and political party’s always been polarized. The word ‘Ongoing’ in the statement also has an important meaning. It confirms that this polarization existed and this proposed constitutional reform makes it worst.