New force joined Armenia’s opposition camp – opinions

12:03 * 08.03.15

In an interview with Tert.am, political scientist Levon Shirinyan and
expert in election technologies Armen Badalyan commented on the
domestic political developments in Armenia, particularly the
Prosperous Armenia party’s statement on its joining the opposition
camp.

Mr Shirinyan believes that a new force joined the opposition ranks,
whereas Mr Badalyan thinks that it is hardly of any importance for the
party’s supporters.

“The Prosperous Armenia party will act as a political party, rather
than as a supplement to the oligarchic structure. This is something
new. The party’s council had better be well aware of its tasks in the
context of latest developments. Others must put up with the fact of
the Prosperous Armenia party acting as a political force,” Mr
Shirinyan said.

The party will be branded as “pro-government opposition.” However, a
new force has joined the opposition camp.

“As an opposition force it is really moving toward becoming a real
political party. Its other achievements depend on quality. If Gagik
Tsarukyan can help the other party members to intensify their
political activities, they will succeed. Otherwise, the party will be
dissolved,” Mr Shirinyan said.

If the Prosperous Armenia party remains committed to its position on
constitutional reforms, they will turn into an efficient political
force and a real political rival to the ruling Republican Party of
Armenia (RPA) within a year.

For his part, Mr Badalyan believes that the Prosperous Armenia party
joining the opposition camp has nothing in common with its voters or
any part of society.

“You do not get votes for representing the authorities or opposition
forces. Votes are normally received due to different principles,” he
said.

He points out obvious changes in Armenia’s politics. The party without
Gagik Tsarukyan is entirely different than it was under his
leadership.

“It was not just a change of leader. Under Gagik Tsarukyan’s
leadership the Prosperous Armenia party was a leading party, whereas
under Naira Zohrabyan’s leadership it is not. That is, the current
party leader is not so attractive as Mr Tsarukyan was. Some voters
supported the party dues to Gagik Tsarukyan as its leader, while
others were interested in it just as it was in the case of the ruling
Republican Party of Armenia,” Mr Badalyan said.

This principle will not remain in force, however.

“The party must change its strategy. Since it has it has not yet
happened, we can say two major forces are active in Armenia’s
political arena – the ruling Republican Party of Armenia and the
Armenian National Congress, which is rather weak now,” Mr Badalyan
said.

Society showed callous indifference to all the domestic political
processes, which is evidence of its unwillingness to have anything in
common with such processes, he concluded.