Incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan has listed the qualities which the next president should possess, the functions of whom are stipulated in the new Constitution.
Well, the qualities mentioned by Serzh Sargsyan are important – language knowledge, experience, reputation in Armenia and Diaspora, international connections, impartiality and nonpartisanship (perhaps the President implied this when he spoke about being not engaged in politics) – all that, of course, is essential.
However, if I decided who should take the president’s position with new – extremely limited but, anyway, very important functions for the state, I would think of human values in the first place.
The authority in Armenia is not loved, it has been this way historically, of course, also because of them – the authorities. This has been the case for 25 years and I strictly doubt that after 10 or 20 years there will be any government, about which an ordinary Armenian citizen will not say the same words which were told throughout the past quarter of century. Now there is a chance to create an institute which will stand away from those curses and swearings – a man or a woman who is loved and respected by our citizens like the Georgians respect their spiritual leader or British – their Queen. However, if the new president is from already known “nomenclature” – luxurious cars, bodyguards, castles, businesses, etc, then the knowledge of even 10 languages will not help him or her, anyway, s/he will be perceived as a part of the authority pyramid and not a symbol of something good.
Probably you will say that we do not need any symbol, we need simply fair officials, honest police officers, frank judges, etc. But when the significant part of the public aspires to become police officer, judge or similar specialist with the aim of being unfair already, in that condition it is not realistic to demand a magic wand of “making fair” from anyone. Officials are needed who will establish new standards of mindset, worldview and behavior. And the “first official” among the mentioned can be the president with new liabilities.
I imagine him or her as an extremely modest, extremely temperate, but a wise person who keeps a permanent “physical” connection with ordinary people. Of course, it is desirable for all of that to be in line with the virtues which Serzh Sargsyan has mentioned.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
