Campaigning by Way of Jams: Politicians Debate Ahead of Parliamentary Election

The Armenian National Congress (HAK) is going to the parliamentary election with one goal: to implement a change of government and overthrow Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, said HAK representative Vladimir Karapetyan, who has been nominated in the no. 2 single-mandate constituency, at a discussion organized in the capital earlier today by the Armenian Center for Political and International Studies.

“This goal is not an end in itself. All of the Republican Party’s key promises haven’t been fulfilled and people have begun to live worse. Political parties have to do everything to rouse the people, assure them that a vote is, indeed, power,” he said.

Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) representative Artak Zakaryan, also present at today’s event, however, urged HAK “not to waste time on senseless concepts and make more constructive suggestions.”

Karapetyan, in turn, retorted that the most constructive act for Armenia would be a change of government, adding that Zakaryan’s earlier statement that no one can govern the country better than his party (HHK), is simply cynical.

Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) MP Aram Safaryan, in an attempt to settle the dispute between the two men, urged to unite “in the task of bringing [the country] out of the abyss.”

“Only by uniting politically can we overcome those challenges that are before us. We are a coalition member since the coalition declaration is in force until the end of the fourth convocation [of parliament]. We have to think only of fair elections and establish a legitimate government,” he said.

Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun, or ARF-D) MP Lilit Galstian, also present at the event, however, also criticized the HHK lawmaker, calling Zakaryan’s statement that “HHK has defined and stabilized all state institutions” an expression of political satire.

“The country’s key challenge is to build a modern country. We’re buried in eastern filth, which is threatening Armenia’s future development. The ruling authorities aren’t playing fair. The official election campaign hasn’t yet begun, but the campaign by way of chocolates, oils and jams is already entering our homes. Society is apathetic, but all the ruling parties are calling for faith in their slogans,” she said.