ArmInfo. It is the "toxic nature" of the parliamentary opposition calling on people to take to the streets that must be accounting for the absence of broad masses outside, the sociologist Karen Sargsyan said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"In other words, our people are well aware that in case they take sides with the opposition in the streets they will face many more problems in the future, without solving the existing ones. Another factor is that, after the 'velvet' revolution, our society is not yet ready for such widespread protests for objective reasons – especially after the pandemic and war," Mr Sargsyan said.
Another reason – perhaps the major one – for the people's reluctance to participate in the protests against Armenia's incumbent authorities is the opposition's vague agenda. Any poll in any Armenian region would show lack of understanding of the objectives of the ongoing protests. "For example, I do not think any resident in any of Armenia's regions could explain the reasons for the opposition putting up tents in Yerevan's center – only because the demands being put forward by the opposition have nothing in common with sitting in the tents in Yerevan's France Square.
"After all, the public concern over Artsakh's future does not change anything at all. Such issues are normally solved in top-level offices, not in the streets. I think it is common knowledge now. And the foreign forces unwilling to spend their money on such opposition are well aware of that as well," Mr Sargsyan said.