ArmInfo.Populism is fighting populism in Armenia. The Opposition is using populist methods and instrument to fight against the authorities it is accusing of populism, the public and political figure Garegin Miskaryan said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"All these flags and failed visits to Artsakh is nothing but populism. And if we dig deeper, we can see there is no either parliamentary power or opposition – only because the people there have nothing in common with Armenia's national interests. They are just incapable of solving our state problems, and their activities are nothing but miserable struggle for power," Mr Miskaryan said.
The reason is the poor Armenian political thought. And the flags and the rest – as well as populist statements and steps – are nothing but means for the opposition forces to remind others of their existence. And the ruling party is doing nothing but keep pace with them.
Yerevan's foreign policy formulated under external pressure is the result of absence of political forces serving Armenia's national interests in Armenia's parliament and of a political agenda. In this context, the answer to the question as to whether Armenia will sit down at the negotiating table with Azerbaijan depends on the interests and influence of geopolitical actors rather than on the Armenian authorities or opposition forces.
It is clear that not all the steps by the Armenian leadership are in conflict with Armenia's interests. Sometimes are can be in line with the agenda of the external forces in control of Armenia's authorities. However, they cannot oppose the external pressure when the external forces' foreign agenda is, to put it mildly, in conflict with Armenia' interests.
"Over the last three decades the authoritarian Armenian authorities have been serving the interests of external authoritarian systems. And breaking out of this vicious circle is only possible by forming a political culture and political forces of a new quality. The incumbent political forces are unable to nor are they seeking to," Mr Miskaryan said.