Radio Netherlands, Netherlands
Feb 19 2008

Sarkisian appears to be winner in Armenia

Published: Tuesday 19 February 2008 19:41 UTC
Last updated: Tuesday 19 February 2008 21:14 UTC

Yerevan – In Armenia, Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian appears to be
the winner of the country’s presidential elections. Preliminary
results show that he has won an absolute majority of 57 percent in
the first round of voting. If the result is confirmed, no second
round will be required.

His closest rival, former president Levon Ter-Petrosian won no more
than 17 percent. However, Mr Ter-Petrosian does not accept the result
and has called for a mass demonstration tomorrow in the capital,
Yerevan. His campaign team says that the voting was marred by serious
irregularities at polling stations.

Political observers are expecting that the pro-Russian Mr Sarkisian
will continue the policy of President Robert Kocharyan, who must now
step down after serving two terms in office.