RULING PARTY SET TO PICK SARKISIAN AS NEW PM
By Irina Hovannisian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
March 30 2007

Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian moved closer to becoming Armenia’s
new prime minister on Friday as his governing Republican Party (HHK)
said it will likely nominate him for the post.

The HHK’s governing board headed by Sarkisian is scheduled to meet
on Monday and discuss the question of who should succeed Andranik
Markarian, the previous prime minister and party chairman who died
of a heart attack on March 25. HHK leaders and President Robert
Kocharian have reportedly agreed that the next premier should also
be a Republican.

"Since a political agreement has been reached to leave the post of
prime minister to the Republican Party, the April 2 meeting of the HHK
council will discuss and decide the HHK candidate for the post," the
party spokesman, Eduard Sharmazanov, told RFE/RL. "In all likelihood,
the board will nominate its chairman, Mr. Serzh Sarkisian."

"At this point, no other candidacies are being considered," he said.

Sarkisian was tipped to be appointed prime minister by Kocharian
immediately after Markarian’s sudden death. A source in Kocharian’s
staff told RFE/RL on Monday that a decision on his appointment has
already been made. The presidential press service denied that, however.

Sarkisian was linked with the post even before Markarian’s death.

Observers speculated that he will head the Armenian cabinet after
the May 12 parliamentary elections as part of his reputed plans to
succeed Kocharian as president next year. The HHK’s victory in the
polls is essential for the success of those plans.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress