KHACHATUR SUKIASIAN RECOGNIZED BY BUSINESSMEN AS MOST PROFESSIONAL
POLITICAL FIGURE

YEREVAN, APRIL 28, NOYAN TAPAN. An Internet survey of 231 citizens
revealed that 25% of respondents consider Khachatur Sukiasian, RA
National Assembly deputy, founder and chairman of SIL Concern, to be
the most professional political figure among 9 members of the Armenian
business elite who are also members of the RA National Assembly. The
results of the survey conducted on March 1 – April 25 by the Vox
Populi public opinion survey center were presented during the
discussion “Business and Politics” held at the Political Debate Club
on April 28. Gurgen Arsenian, Chairman of Arsoil CJSC, founder of the
United Labor Party (ULP), was in second place (15%), and Chairman of
Multi Group concern Gagik Tsarukian – in third place (8%). They were
followed by Founder and Director of Eurostan-Uyut Manvel Badeyan (7%),
Chairman of Armtobacco OJSC Ruben Hayrapetian (6%) and Chairman of
Board of Directors of Hrazdan Sport Complex company Ashot Aghababian
(1%). In the opinion of repsondents, Alexander Sargsian (brother of RA
Defence Minister Serge Sargsian), Samvel Sargsian (founder of Fleet
Food and Astghatsolk companies), and Sayad Zakharian (executive
director of Argali Group company, brother of Yerevan’s Mayor Ervand
Zakharian) cannot be considered professional political figures, while
33% of those surveyed said that none of these 9 businessmen can be
considered a professional politician. The purpose of another survey
conducted by Vox Populi was to find out whose interests the RA
National Assembly protects. In the opinion of 81% of 109 respondents,
the Armenian parliament is a body that expresses and protects the
interests of business elite, 9% of those surveyed responded that it is
a body regulating the state legislation, 7% said that the National
Assembly is a body expressing and protecting the public’s interests,
and 1% found it difficult to answer this question. The same
respondents were asked the question “What is your attitude to
politicization of the country’s business elite?” 84% responded that
this phenomenon hinders the rapid development of the Armenian economy,
7% said that it promotes the country’s economic development, and 7%
found it difficult to answer.