Ruling Coalition Intends to Push Opposition Out of Parliament: Oskanian

The ruling coalition’s announcement highlights the authorities’ disregard of democracy, elections and the public will, begins the statement released by Armenia’s former foreign minister, founder and board president of the Civilitas Foundation Vartan Oskanian.

“The ruling coalition has openly declared that in the upcoming parliamentary elections they are not prepared to do what political forces are fundamentally meant to do: that is, to enter into open competition.

“Further, the coalition, which already enjoys absolute majority, intends to push out of the parliament those in opposition who, as it is, constitute an extremely small minority.

“This does not help alleviate the already complex social, economic and political situation in the country; instead, it further exacerbates the situation. Rather than securing the continuity of those forces which are themselves the main obstacle to improving conditions, the coalition should have worked to secure a balance within the government, as an alternative to absolute rule.

“These new circumstances will aggravate the public’s disenchantment, and is fraught with harmful consequences,” concludes Oskanian.