Qualitative change in political life is necessary
Editorial
Yerkir.am
April 06, 2007
`Electoral bribes, collection of passports and other similar practices
are of course unacceptable. At the same time, we should understand
that only political forces that do not feel confident about themselves
resort to such practices.
Those who are sure that they can win the votes with their platforms
resort to such measures,’ member of ARF’s Supreme Body Artashes
Shahbazian says. Shahbazian hopes we will have fair elections. `It’s
a shame that people come from abroad to teach us. It’s a shame when
they say that no fair elections have taken place in Armenia,’
Shahbazian, who occupies the 5th position in ARF’s proportional list,
says in an interview to Yerkir.
Q: Mr. Shahbazian, the official electoral campaign is starting in
several days. Do you think the campaign will be based on ideas or will
black PR be used?
A: We are prepared with our campaign materials and our platform and
are determined to have a truly ideological and political campaign. We
will present our vision of Armenia’s economic development,
consolidation of national values, cultural development as well as our
position on education related, demographic, social, economic and other
issues. I can assure you that ARF will not use black PR. Political
forces should not resort to negative campaigning for the purpose of
getting votes. Black PR will distort the political and public
atmosphere. Elections are a political action. We will continue living
and working together after the elections. The logic of elections
implies that elections are much more efficient if there is a contest
of ideas, when competition evolves around political platforms.
Q: Is the society interested in platforms and ideologies?
A: Through our recent interaction with different people from different
backgrounds we found out that people are expecting improvement of
their lives. People are interested to know what the future will bring
for them. The country has overcome the crisis and the regress. There
are positive changes and people see this. Of course, there is shadow
economy, corruption and gaps in the legislation and law
enforcement. The economic life is becoming more active, the industries
are working, new jobs are created. However, these processes do not
affect everyone and a significant segment of ht society is left behind
this progress. In other words, there is development but it does not
affect everyone, the incomes are not distributed in a fair manner.
Nevertheless, people appreciate that some progress takes place and
they want to know where we are going next. Through our interactions
with people we can see that the increased interest towards the ARF
derives from this expectation. People stress that ARF is a party with
an ideology. This is our strength. This factor fosters and will
continue fostering our reputation.
Q: Some conflicts and divisions have recently occurred within some
political parties. Now that the political life is becoming more
active, are such surprises possible within the ARF?
A: The level of internal organization, stability and well-defined
relations are pointed out as the main characteristics of the
ARF. Members of the ARF are dedicated people who are connected with
each other with an ideology rather than momentary interests. They
believe in the party’s program. This is why our organization is stable
and united. Internal conflicts and divisions cannot take place in such
an organization. People should believe and rely on ideas and not
leaders. If there is a functioning system, individuals’ roles are not
of decisive importance any more. People can see that ARF is far from
the unpleasant surprises that take place on the political arena.
Q: Aren’t you worried about the indifference towards political
processes on the part of the society?
A: I mentioned that people are interested in ideas and political
platforms, they have some expectations from the upcoming
elections. Unfortunately, our political elites have always shattered
the people’s expectations, their hopes. In reality, there are no
opportunities for changing the political atmosphere, the political
relations so that people could also change as a result of such
changes. Every time we destroy the people’s hope, and the voters
become more and more disappointed after each elections. Political
apathy and passiveness drives them to stalemate of disappointment and
indifference.
Then we start complaining that the civil society does not develop in
Armenia. We start asking why people are leaving the country, why the
society is not united, etc. The same thing can occur this time as
well. Some people view illegal and immoral phenomena as something
natural and normal. They say, `This is how it has always been.’ This
means rejection of their civic duties and responsibilities. We live in
an environment of distorted standards and values. It is time that the
political forces take up the mission of changing the political life
and taking it to a qualitatively new level. We must assure ourselves
that this time there will be a breakthrough.
Q: Your optimism suggests that the new parliament will be much more
representative. A: Those who say that the new parliament will be much
worse than the present one pay a negative service to the society `
they disseminate the feeling that everything has already been decided.
In reality, everything depends on the elections. Those who will follow
the political path will take this quality to the new parliament. Those
who will follow other paths will bring other qualities. The fairer the
elections are the better the new parliament will be in terms of its
quality.
Q: How do you assess the ARF’s chances? A: ARF’s structures function
throughout the country. Our interactions with the voters show that the
party’s rating is rather high and the reason for this is that people
have some expectations from the ARF. We are determined to pursue
every vote given to us because with these votes we will be able to
have better representation in the parliament.