Raffi Hovannisian’s Offer was Unacceptable for HAK: Nikol Pashinyan

The reason the Armenian National Congress (HAK) and the Heritage Party didn’t reach an agreement is because the latter’s proposal was completely illogical and unacceptable for HAK, said HAK representative, candidate in the no. 7 electoral district for the upcoming parliamentary election Nikol Pashinyan, speaking to reporters in the capital today.

According to Pashinyan, HAK received an offer from the Heritage Party that its leader Raffi Hovannisian is prepared to withdraw his candidacy from the no. 7 electoral district if HAK withdraws its candidates from the no. 1, 4, 6, 9 and 12 electoral districts. This is how Pashinyan responded to Hovannisian’s earlier statement that though the two opposition groups didn’t reach an agreement, he will be withdrawing his candidacy anyway. Recall, in the same electoral district the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) is backing businessman, MP Samvel Aleksanyan.

“HAK is participating in the elections not to surrender, but to overthrow the government. HAK has always been ready and is also ready now to discuss logical and constructive proposals. Our struggle is so that political elections get political content. They will vote for HAK because HAK in the past 5 years has gone down a principled and self-sacrificing path, has remained loyal to its principles,” he said.

The outspoken opposition member said that he was in support of discussing with other opposition forces the nomination of candidates contesting parliamentary seats under the majoritarian (individual basis) system.

Pashinyan said that before the registration of candidates, HAK asked the Heritage Party to present a preferred geographic map of candidates to be nominated under the majoritarian system. The Heritage Party responded that it is prepared to begin talks during the election campaign period, which was unacceptable for HAK.

“All opposition forces have one issue — upholding the vote of citizens of Armenia. HAK is prepared to uphold the collaboration vote — I will consider the violation of any candidate’s right to be an act against me. If opposition forces can ensure democratic elections, then the HHK has to think whether it will have a proper presence in parliament,” he said.