The government and the opposition are getting ready for the elections. As always, the fight is going on not only between the two wings of the political field but also inside the wings. In particular, no one will believe that there are no intrigues inside the Republican Party. Naturally, the parliamentary elections are going to be held in about a year and in about two years, Serzh Sargsyan will no longer occupy the post of the president. When it comes to high positions and accordingly, big money, the competition is inevitable. However, the information about the content of these intrigues, perhaps, is not very accurate.
For example, it is said that not Armen Ashotyan is fighting for the post of the speaker of the National Assembly. But that figure, even if he had such a desire, apparently, will not be able to carry it out because it, first of all, requires to become a member of parliament and it will be a very difficult in one year. It sounds equally fantastic, in my opinion, the assumption that Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan will join Vardan Oskanian’s party. Recall that not long time ago, there were rumors that the prime minister will join the PAP but no such thing happened.
The intrigue within the ruling party, it seems to me, is in a different place. Wealthy people in the Republican Party, as we know, are not a few and spending several hundred thousand dollars is not particularly a problem for them. The question is who will be given the chance from the businessmen, officials and local authorities to spend this money to become a parliamentarian. Therefore, a serious fight will be going for “regional party lists.” Unless, of course, the extremely beneficial norm for the government in this draft Electoral Code is maintained, while there is almost no doubt for it. We have to hope that this fight inside the Republican Party will proceed without skirmishes and knife injuries.
But if there is some hope that the business and “authoritative” people striving for the Parliament will come to an agreement, then it is much less likely that the opposition parties will find a common language with each other. Suppose, the opposition “quota” in the National Assembly is 40 seats (let’s not have illusions that it is going to be otherwise). Who are the claimants: the PAP, “Heritage”, ANC, “Free Democrats”, “Civil Agreement”, “Bright Armenia”, “Alliance”, Oskanyan’s newly formed party, “Freedom”, “Reorganized Rule of Law”, “updated” Armenian National Movement, Democratic Party and a number of other parties (I apologize to all the guys whose names I forgot here). The “pies” obviously will not be enough for all. The priority will go to those who will have some agreements with the government and to those whom Ara Abrahamian will give money.
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But it is impossible not to step on the foot to each other in this opposition of “cramp”. Mutual accusations are inevitable: “You are guided by Baghramyan 26”, “you’re a Robert Kocharyan”, “you are the project of the government”, “you’re defending the interests of such and such” and so on. In terms of moral authority, those who do not say such things will benefit.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
