Armenian Opposition and Ruling Party MPs Go Head to Head in Local Debate

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan says things could get “bogged down”; Heritage Party leader Raffi Hovannisian says, things already are, said Heritage Party MP Anahit Bakhshyan, speaking to journalists today.

Ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) MP Karine Atshemyan, also present at today’s press conference, noted that she’s very happy that the Heritage Party is attentive to Sargsyan’s speeches.

“I want to cite a remark by Raffi Hovannisian that we expect changes if not in political then in public consciousness and spirit. But throwing everything on one person, the president, demanding everything from one person… in the case when we have serious problems in society, we can’t unite, help each other, we can’t support, we tend toward the black and white, on the path of excluding, of destroying, which won’t give us anything,” said Atshemyan.

In the HHK deputy’s opinion, Hovannisian will finally begin to listen to the appeals of all those who were beside him. Atshemyan said a hunger strike is an extreme measure for responding to extreme events and she doesn’t think that Armenia, as she is being represented, is on the edge of chaos.

Bakhshyan, in response to Atshemyan, again recalled the Armenian president’s speech in which “the RA president noted that the country is in a state of emergency.”

Atshemyan interjected, saying those problems which have existed for 19 years (since Armenia’s independence) cannot be saddled on a man who’s governed for two years.

“That has no connection; Raffi Hovannisian distributed the share [of problems] among the three presidents and said until the state and the public don’t come out of this triangle, we will not be able to succeed,” Bakhshyan retorted.

On a different matter, Atshemyan, referring to the Heritage Party returning to parliament (note: the opposition party has boycotted the last two four-day parliamentary sessions), said they were entrusted with a platform and mandates and their voice is heard.

Bakhshyan recalled that in four years, only one bill put forth by the Heritage Party has become law and that is the law on the assistant to the deputies.

Nevertheless, Atshemyan expressed hope that the Heritage Party will participate in the next round of four-day parliamentary sessions.