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    Categories: 2021

Newspaper: Armenia ex-President Kocharyan electoral list has surprises

News.am, Armenia
April 1 2021

YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: Although there is still no clarity in the political field whether they will go to the snap [parliamentary] elections under the old or the new [electoral] code, some parties are busy with the hard work of compiling the electoral lists.

The toughest casting is being held at [second President] Robert Kocharyan; he has decided to come up with a powerful list to ‘win’ in the elections. Names are given of authoritative people from all walks of life—from businessmen to generals—who may be on Kocharyan's list.

The name of [businessman] Ralph Yirikian, of one of the former directors of the NSS [National Security Service], is circulating. The press also wrote about [ex-defense minister] Seyran Ohanyan and [former CSTO Secretary General] Yuri Khachaturov. Deputy prime minister Armen Gevorgyan, one of the referents of Kocharyan during his presidency, other high-ranking officials will be [on this electoral list].

Negotiations are underway with former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. Although, according to some rumors, Karapetyan has said that he would support with everything, but has declined from taking a spot on the list.

It is not ruled out that Artak Tovmasyan “of "Dvin” will join this team, as well as the newly founded party of the people of Syunik [Province], headed by former governor Vahe Hakobyan.

There are rumors that Arpine Hovhannisyan [former National Assembly vice speaker and ex-Minister of Justice] will be on Kocharyan's list—the first woman, number three.

And the leaders of some of the one-man-party parties part of the 17 [opposition parties demanding PM Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation] will take up lower positions [on this list].


Emil Lazarian: “I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS