MP Suggests Armenian President Leave his Post and Work in Higher Education Sector

Heritage Party MP Zaruhi Postanjyan recently directed questions to high-ranking government officials who also chair prominent Armenian post-secondary institutions: Armenian president and Yerevan State University (YSU) board chair Serzh Sargsyan, RA National Assembly chair and Armenian State University of Economics board chair Hovik Abrahamyan, and RA Prime Minister and Armenian State Pedagogical University named after Khachatur Abovyan board chair Tigran Sargsyan.

“Don’t you think that only your candidacy being put forth and your being elected during the Jan. 29, 2011 election of Yerevan State University board chair testifies to the management [style] characteristic of authoritarian regimes and compromises Yerevan State University’s principle of self-management?” Postanjyan asked Serzh Sargsyan, in particular.

The opposition MP also inquired a to how Serzh Sargsyan combines his obligations as president of the Republic of Armenia with his obligations as YSU board chair.

“Considering the fact that you assumed the post of RA president after the 2008 rigged elections, under conditions of mass revolt among the general public, in the existence of political prisoners, ten dead and many wounded, after declaring a state of emergency (during which time RA armed forces were used illegally), as well as your failure of the management of authorities in both domestic and foreign policy, and your love in the management of higher education sector, isn’t it time to make a choice — to bid adieu to the position of RA president in favor of higher education?” concluded Postanjyan, who also suggested to Tigran Sargsyan and Hovik Abrahamyan that they leave their posts and work full time in the area of higher education.