I am not fully aware of the details of the “debate” unfolding between supporters of Robert Kocharyan and other opposition figures. From posts by members of the Republican Party and figures close to them, I can conclude that there are certain Russian Telegram channels coordinated by Viktor Soghomonyan, which are writing negative things about the Republicans. I don’t read Telegram channels—especially Russian ones; if it were up to me, I wouldn’t even open Facebook. But I have no reason to doubt this information. And if that is the case, it is strange, since the Republican Party does not seem inclined to run in the elections, although it will, of course, actively participate—which I believe is the right approach.
I treat the Dashnak members forming Robert Kocharyan’s “Armenia” alliance with respect, even though I do not share that party’s ideology. I also like the speeches of Anna Grigoryan, a member of that alliance. But these MPs, it seems, do not speak against other opposition figures and instead focus on the main issue—removing Pashinyan. Which is also correct.
Kocharyan’s nomination was, naturally, a mistake and entirely beneficial to the Civil Contract party. Without delving into the, to put it mildly, controversial figure of the second president, let us simply note that in the current situation, his presence in the political field is a major gift for Civil Contract. Much of the ruling party’s rhetoric is directed specifically against Kocharyan, and given his negative perception among a significant part of society, these attacks hit their target.
As for Karapetyan and Tsarukyan, they can only really be labeled “oligarchs,” but that “accusation,” as I understand it, is not taken very seriously. Meanwhile, when Civil Contract members raise the issue of literacy, it simply provokes a smile. Meanwhile, Kocharyan was the head of state, and the society really has an account to present to him.
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But although Kocharyan’s re-emergence objectively hinders the opposition struggle, I would advise the rest of the opposition not to dwell on this issue. Against the backdrop of where Pashinyan is leading our country, arguing about which opposition figure is better is like discussing the playlist of the music playing on the Titanic.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
