New Armenian party stands chance of winning majority in poll – politician
A1+, Yerevan
7 Apr 07
"If the Prosperous Armenia Party takes part in the [12 May
parliamentary] election as a serious and independent political force,
it can gain the majority of seats in parliament," Viktor Dallakyan, a
parliamentary candidate in the constituency No 30, told a press
conference in the Pastark club today.
Asked by our correspondent if he considered Prosperous Armenia an
opposition party or a coalition, Mr Dallakyan said: "Prosperous
Armenia is a newly established political force. It has never stood in
elections, and its orientation will be clear only after the election."
Dallakyan does not believe that the chairman of the party has been
involved in the falsification of elections in favour of the
authorities.
Asked if [President] Robert Kocharyan is going to set up a new party,
which has never participated in elections like Prosperous Armenia and,
therefore, has never rigged any votes, Mr Dallakyan did not answer.
Kocharyan goes as a reformer Speaking about elections, Mr Dallakyan
said that an exceptional situation had emerged to show strong
political will to hold a fair election. The parliamentary vote comes
before the presidential election. Compared to 1996, when [former
president] Levon Ter-Petrosyan could have been re-elected, Kocharyan
has no right to a third term under the constitution.
Dallakyan believes that Robert Kocharyan has the chance of going from
politics as a reformer. Therefore, his desire to look like a
great-hearted man comes true. Kocharyan’s motive for not falsifying
the election might also be [the prediction] that the people would
adequately respond to this like in Georgia. Mr Dallakyan thinks that
public opinion is important to the president.
"Maybe Kocharyan will be guided by patriotism. If he misses the
chance, the opposition will take advantage of it, as 70-80 per cent of
the population are not happy with the current authorities, and the
opposition will have to lead the people," he said.
Dallakyan is confident that there are the opposition forces which
could lead the people. All parties in the Justice bloc [led by]
Artashes Geghamyan, Artur Bagdasaryan, Raffi Hovhannisyan or Aram
Karapetyan could play the role.
Kocharyan goes but Serzh cannot come
Mr Dallakyan does not rule out the following scenario: "Robert
Kocharyan will go but Serzh Sargsyan will not be able to come [to
power]." Dallakyan believes that Serzh Sargsyan’s appointment as prime
minister could be interpreted in different ways. First, Sargsyan could
use his position during elections.
Second, "his appointment could be viewed as a gift of Danae. In other
words, all opposition electorate and parties could point the finger at
the re-elected prime minister and blame him," he said.
Dallakyan believes that Serzh Sargsyan has little chances of being
elected president.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
