A1+

Didn’t the Republican Party start the campaign?
[07:41 pm] 10 March, 2009

`This is not the first time that the Republican Party of Armenia is
charged with illegal campaigning. I accept the criticism,’ said today
press speaker for the Republican Party Edward Sharmazanov on the
threshold of the upcoming elections for mayor of Yerevan.

Sharmazanov believes that the charges that all television networks are
campaigning for the Republican Party’s candidate make no sense.

`The Republican Party hasn’t started its campaign. As before, we will
stay true to the law and our campaign will be within limits of the
law.’

What was the reason for appointing Mr. Beglaryan mayor before the
elections? Didn’t the Republican Party hurt its candidate? In response
to that, Sharmazanov said:

`I would advise political parties to not worry about the future
successes of our party more than us.’

Since the appointment of Gagik Beglaryan in the post of mayor had
caused concern among political parties in the sense that it casts a
shade on the elections for city council, Mr. Sharmazanov was forced to
approach the same question from a different angle.

`Each political power must campaign within limits of the law to reach
success. It is obvious that there are winners and there are losers and
it is up to the people to decide.’

Why aren’t the authorities and the coalition participating in the
elections for mayor of Yerevan with a joint candidate? Are there any
problems? In response to that, Sharmazanov said:

`Yerevan is a community and the coalition parties have signed a deal
to maintain their independence. Each force decides to participate in
the community elections or not.’

`A1+’ asked Sharmazanov to assess the fact that the `Case of Seven’ is
taking place without the presence of political prisoners taking into
consideration the fact that the Republican Party has played a decisive
role in amending the Criminal Code, which allows trials without the
presence of prisoners.

`I don’t assess legal processes. The law enforcement is not only for
the `Case of Seven’ and the one enforcing the laws is the government.’

Sharmazanov believes that the political situation in the country is
extenuating and he connects the possible developments with the
upcoming elections for city council.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress