FORMER PRESIDENT TO COMPETE FOR POST AS MAYOR OF ARMENIA’S CAPITAL
Natalia Leshchenko

World Markets Research Center
Global Insight
April 2 2009

Former president and presidential contender in the 2008 election,
Lev Ter-Petrossian, has been put forward by the oppositional Armenia
National Congress (ANC) as a candidate for Yerevan municipal elections
on 31 May. Early polls are giving ANC 35% support, which is not
sufficient to take up the mayor’s post in one round.

Significance:After an unsuccessful attempt to challenge President Serzh
Sargsyan in the February 2008 presidential poll, that also involved a
week of street protests, Ter-Petrossian remained politically active,
safeguarded by freedom of opinion provisions that the authorities
respect, if reluctantly. His running for Yerevan mayor heralds another
heated political campaign in the making, for the candidate is most
known for his ability to ignite the public. Should he not win,
an attempt at repeating the street rallies is likely, so that the
authorities will be working hard to ensure a clear win for their
candidate instead.