Why have all the oppositions starting from National Democratic Union, Congress, including the latest Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanyan alliance, failed over 25 years? First, the oppositionists do not consider that they have failed. They believe that they have had great achievements, that people loved them, even adored, had high hopes, but those having “seized the power” carried lawless actions, violence out, and suppressed the “pan-national movement”. Once the oppositionists fall into such a judgment circuit, they are failed. Not because these judgments are wrong (especially the ones about the lawless actions and violence are true), but because they are useless.
The oppositions’ strategic mistake was that they believed that becoming active, creating parties and alliances a few months before the elections, mouthing some “powerful” curses towards the authorities would be enough to influence the power. And if they fail then they can talk about “seizures”, demand “immediate regime change” and early election within the upcoming 4-5 years. And the tactical mistake was that these oppositionists were always criticizing the other oppositionists, and arguing against all those people who in some extent did not agree with their ideology. In this Facebook era special, “punitive brigades” are being “bred” for that purpose.
And so, “Yelq” bloc, which at least has not taken that beaten path yet which leads to a deadlock, appeared in this field. The severity of the criticism has been preserved, but there are no empty promises of an “immediate regime change”. The representatives of the bloc say they will work for 5 years and will try to become a majority in Parliament in 2022. If we fail, we will work the next 5 years and will try to succeed in 2027. For the traditional perceptions of political and social processes it sounds bizarre, “How come in 2027? The country will be destroyed till that, people will leave, no one will be left in Armenia”. But people will leave even quicker if you make empty promises as if soon they will live in heaven and will be survived once you come to power. It brings to nothing else other than disappointment.
Of course, there is also an “alternative”, “Everything’s a lie. The way out is only in the weapon, in the shooting, burning, and fighting. What about Robespierre, Lenin, and Che Guevara?” (As if the latter have done something useful). I do not mind, try. If this works out, do not forget to put the guillotine in the Republic square, in place of the barbecue pit.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
