If Christ Marukyan had become a mayor of Vanadzor, it would not have devastating consequences for the authorities and would not be the beginning of a change of government in the country in itself. On the contrary, different international reports would state that the opposition candidate won the mayoral elections in Vanadzor. Not to mention that it would be good for the residents of Vanadzor because this candidate would have a very strong motivation to renovate the city, paving the streets and lighting. The representative of “Bright Armenia” would try to prove that the opposition mayor is beneficially different from the ruling party mayor. Mamikon Aslanyan does not have such motivation so as the preceding mayor because during the 17 years of his tenure as a mayor, the third city of our Republic, according to the residents of Vanadzor, has made a sharp setback.
But look, the Republicans (based on some “boyish principles”) did their best and were able to exert pressure or somehow to motivate 4 community council member of three opposition parties, who despite the memo signed by “Bright Armenia,” “Armenian Renaissance” and “Prosperous Armenia” parties on Saturday, voted for the Republican candidate. The memorandum was signed by the “party bosses”, and the council members of Vanadzor city elected by the mentioned political parties live in a specific environment, in a small city, with their own problems and challenges. Now, if the “bosses” begin searching the “traitors”, “venal” or “rats” among the members of their parties, nothing good will come out of it. It would be worse if they begin casting the blame of “rating” on each other. In searching for enemies, the amount of light will not be more.
Being disappointed and “discouraged” is not a particularly efficient way either. To restore the structure and the human resources of the political parties and move forward, to get ready for the next political struggle, I think this should be the consequence of serious oppositions (if they are such). Even if you lose the game on your own field by the score of 0:5, it does not mean that you should sit down, mourn and say, “That’s it, there is no and will be no football in Armenia.” While the Republicans must understand that the victory achieved at all costs is actually not a victory.
… As for bribing, intimidating, blackmailing and “pulling” votes from camp to camp, it is not purely an Armenian phenomenon. The same is done, for instance, in the US Congress. Watch the American TV drama series “House of Cards”.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
