The fundamental issue for Armenian society remains unsolved: the current regime remains intolerant by nature, said political analyst Edgar Vardanyan, speaking to journalists in the Armenian capital today.<\/p>\n
Vardanyan, nevertheless, sees changes and reshuffling in the political arena \u2014 in both the ruling authorities and the opposition.<\/p>\n
“In the ruling authorities’ camp, underway is a consolidation, a reduction of the oligarchic group. Essentially, a centralization of the resources around [Armenian President] Serzh Sargsyan is taking place. In the opposition camp, the unity of 2008 is absent. The opposition forces’ problems haven’t changed, but the emphases have changed,” he said.<\/p>\n
According to the analyst, it is due to this change that the problems of 2008 have been pushed to the background and more actively discussed is the matter of moving to a proportional representation electoral system.<\/p>\n
Vardanyan also sees changes in Armenia’s internal developments and the international community’s assessment of the situation: European officials have “softened” their criticisms. Nevertheless, Vardanyan noted that international organizations, particularly Freedom House, hasn’t changed the assessments it gave Armenia in the past.<\/p>\n