We are too quick to call people “opportunists” without trying to understand the sociopolitical system and its mechanisms. Let me bring two examples out of dozens.
One of Serzh Sargsyan’s most loyal people, former Attorney General Gevorg Kostanyan, went to “Shant” and “Herankar” on April 22nd- one day before Prime Minister Sargsyan’s resignation- and proved that the protests organized by Nikol Pashinyan were illegal, and that the government can carry out any means necessary against the opposition. That same person, a few days ago, said, “I will always be on Nikol Pashinyan’s side at any moment.” Such promises are only given in church when people get married. “We will always be with one other in sadness and happiness, in sickness and in health.” Using the words “always” and “at any moment” in politics is a careless statement. If your new “chief” does something that, according to you, is unacceptable… or, in the end, that “chief” won’t be there forever.
Or, the Committee for Urban Development’s Vice President Armen Ghularyan applied to leave the Republican Party. Before that, he was a part of the Pan-Armenian National Movement and left, and before that, he was a communist. If he had a choice, he would most likely join the “Civil Contract” party. I don’t know him, but people say that he is good at what he does. I know Gevorg Kostanyan, and I think that he is a gifted individual and an expert at law. The problem, I think, isn’t with those people or with the communists, ANM, or RPA.
The problem, as I said, is the system. The aforementioned organizations aren’t political parties in a positive way, but an environment which can be helpful in some situations, and dangerous in others. It can’t be like that. If someone is an avid communist, ANM, or RPA, “pro-Serzh” or “pro-Nikol,” then that shouldn’t help or hurt them in their professional or private lives. That is a person’s belief which, of course, they can change, but no one has the right to dictate or especially to persecute them for those beliefs. On the other hand, that shouldn’t be a way to encourage them or help them go forward.
In the old and “very old” (communist) Armenia, being a part of a political party or “team” was critical for a person. Judging how parliamentarians and officials are escaping from the Republican Party and faction, it’s evident that the “tradition” continues.
Aram Abrahamyan
