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Pragmatism vs populism

What the Papers Say Part A (Russia)
January 25, 2008 Friday

PRAGMATISM VS POPULISM

Andranik Migranjan

HIGHLIGHT: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN ARMENIA: POPULATION WILL MOSTLY
VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE OF THE REGIME; An update on the forthcoming
election of the president of Armenia.

Six candidates for president of Armenia out of nine are prominent
figures playing an instrumental part in republican politics. Election
is scheduled for February 19.

Nominated by the Republican Party, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisjan has
the Affluent Armenia party’s support as well. These political parties
polled nearly 50% in the parliamentary election and control almost
two thirds of the parliament. It follows that their nominee has vast
resources to tap.

Also importantly, the Armenian opposition failed to combine efforts
and nominate a single candidate for president. The implication is
clear: opposition candidates (six of them) will be merely getting in
each other’s way.

Last but not the least, the population wants stability as opposed to
any radical changes and "color" (orange or otherwise) scenarios.

Opinion polls in the meantime indicate that more than every second
Armenian is prepared to cast his or her vote for Sarkisjan. Other
prominent candidates (Levon Ter-Petrosjan, Arthur Bagdasarjan, Vagan
Oganesjan, Vazgen Manukjan, Artashes Gegamjan) will poll between 5%
and 10% each.

Source: Rossiiskaya Gazeta, January 25, 2008, p. 6

Translated by A. Ignatkin

Karakhanian Suren:
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