Today’s political system demands for the discovery of corruption, announcements of findings of large sums of money by law enforcement agencies, arrests, preventive measures, bail money, and more, as well as revealing speeches arising from all that directed towards the “old authorities.” Not only the prime minister’s circle, not only the “Civil Contract” or “Yelq,” but almost all political forces have focused on the fight against Kocharyan and the Republican Party. Such a retrospective struggle is justified by revanchist aspirations, which are, of course, possible, but in my opinion are ineffective and meaningless.
But on the other hand, one can agree that fighting against the old shadows is a very comfortable political position. You aren’t saying how a certain problem needs to be solved, you’re not putting forth any ideas, you’re not saying that certain things need to happen or that these things aren’t happening, but instead it is limited to “clenching” the former presidents, Manvel, Sashik, Vacho, and the rest of them, which on one hand may seem tricky, and on the other indecisive. This is how, most likely, many political parties will be constructing their campaigns for the municipal elections in Yerevan and perhaps also for the parliamentary elections. “We support the revolution and the government and we strictly condemn the Republican Party and Kocharyan.”
But the government, I trust, not only needs support (although I think, it is necessary to unconditionally support change) but also criticism because widespread delight will not bring anything good. What political force is currently criticizing the government? The Republicans and Kocharyan? As they say, no matter what, everything is the same. Because those critiques can always be answered by “well how was it in your times?” And that is not an unfounded argument. The former authorities, beginning with the Pan-Armenian National Movement, only become believable democrats after they lose their power, forgetting what happened while they were still in power.
Therefore, political forces positioned themselves against the old shadows in comfortable “trenches.” Of course, this situation is also temporary. The problem is, however, whether this may continue until the parliamentary elections, or will a new opposition arise in the upcoming months?
Aram Abrahamyan
