According to a decision passed by Governor of the Shirak Province Hovhannes Harutyunyan, Gyumri’s local government elections will take place on October 17th. No one from any of the parties or alliances has officially announced the names of the candidates leading their city council lists. Names are simply being mentioned through rumors.
The mayor of Gyumri, Samvel Balasanyan, who completely changed the environment in Gyumri during his administration- it can be said that he calmed the situation, as the city no longer has the reputation of being a criminal city, on the contrary, it is now known as a popular tourist destination where many investments have taken places- seems to not wish to participate in the local elections. The authorities’ insistence on once again taking the lead of the city seem to be futile for now as Samvel Balasanyan refuses.
According to our information, the ruling political force is discussing the issue of nominating the candidacy of Shirak governor Hovhannes Harutyunyan. The governor, who during his short tenure stood out with an interesting style of governing with the ability to solve problems, is the best candidate for the post of mayor. The ruling political force will announce its decision soon.
The name of former National Assembly deputy Martun Grigoryan, who participated in the special parliamentary elections with the I Have Honor alliance, is circulating among the opposition political forces. Will he be nominated by the I Have Honor alliance, which was formed by the Republican Party of Armenia and the Hayrenik party? In an interview with Aravot Daily, Martun Grigoryan said that he does not yet have a clear answer on whether or not he will participate in the elections.
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We also asked Narek Mirzoyan, the organizer-coordinator of the RPA Gyumri regional organization, about whether or not the RPA will participate in the elections, and if so, in what format- separately, or in an alliance with Artur Vanetsyan. “At the moment we are having discussions, we will make a decision in the coming days. Several options are being discussed. Both of the options you mentioned are being discussed. We are leaning towards participating. In the near future, we will decide whether we will participate separately or in an alliance. In other words, we do not have an official decision to participate, but there is a consensus among party members to participate. We will participate not only in Gyumri, but also in other communities. In fact, there is absolutely no talk about the leader, because in this case, we attach a lot of importance to team participation,” said Narek Mirzoyan.
The council of the Prosperous Armenia party has not made a decision on this participation yet, but two names are circulating from the PAP: former NA deputy Vardan Grigoryan and the former member of the Gyumri Council of Elders Andranik Khachatryan. The names of local officials Karapet Poghosyan and Hovhannes Asoyan are currently being actively circulated by the Armenia alliance led by Robert Kocharyan.
The newly-formed Gyumri Can alliance has made a clear decision to participate. It was established by several parties promoting national values. The alliance’s council list will most likely be led by the executive director of one of the hotels in the city center, Vardan Srtashyan. The alliance is already advertising itself by posting posters containing this slogan in different parts of the city, even writing “Gyumri Can” on the pedestrian crossings.
Nune Arevshatyan
