Prosperous Armenia forced to form coalition

At his press conference on Wednesday, Aram Sargsyan, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA), voiced the opinion that the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) will certainly form a coalition with the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA).Otherwise, the PAP will lose many of its members.“The PAP is well aware of the consequences of its not forming a coalition. If joins the coalition, the PAP will find itself in a somewhat awkward situation. But they may change something and will remain in power, in their business interests,” Aram Sargsyan said.The best option would be the RPA being the only ruling party in Armenia, with all the responsibility placed on it. And, pursuant to its promises, it would implement reforms, Aram Sargsyan said.“They promised, so let them fulfill their promises. The negotiations are now focused on the following: a political force that has ensured seats in Armenia’s parliament for itself. Will it prove able to implement its program or ensure a more comfortable situation to prevent any problems in parliament or government,” he said.Armenia’s political parties are setting terms to one another, which does not meet public interests.The DPA leader noted that the current developments in Armenia’s domestic political life are illogical and do not lead to real reforms in the country.With respect to the candidate the DPA is likely to support in the next presidential election, Aram Sargsyan said that the party will discuss the issue at its congress and release an official statement.   Read more... (250 words)

‘Complementary’ maneuver: Armenia trying to get security from Russia, while economically integrating with Europe

The conflict between Russia and the West is apparently becoming the main dividing line in the domestic politics of Armenia. The split along this line occurs both within the opposition and pro-government forces.

Aram Sargsyan, the leader of the Hanrapetutyun party, who was number three on the proportional list of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), gave up his mandate in parliament and announced its departure from the ANC. As it turned out later, the main disagreement with the ANC was around the relations between Armenia and Russia.

In an interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian Service Sargsyan said that only pro-Russian forces now remain within the ANC. “I consider myself a citizen of Armenia. I see the future of my country linked to Western standards. I do not see anything we can learn from Russia,” said Sargsyan.  Read more... (575 words)

Who’s Next PM?: RPA and PAP wrestle through cabinet selection and possible coalition

Behind the curtains of the Armenian political stage the most frequently discussed issue after the May 6 elections has been the structure of the new government and whether there will be coalitional cooperation between the Republicans (RPA) and Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP).

Vice-president of RPA Galust Sahakyan has stated no fundamental issue has been discussed related to forming coalition with PAP, however added that by the end of the week it’ll become clear how each political force will be represented in the new parliament.

Sahakyan said he thinks the RPA-PAP coalition is a possibility and that 68 candidates on RPA’s proportionate list (total of 250) will be submitting letters of withdrawal to the Central Election Commission, and the most active MPs and experts will enter the new parliament.  Read more... (453 words)

Armenian Governing Parties Said To Renew Coalition Deal

The three political parties represented in Armenia’s outgoing government will sign a new power-sharing agreement after all, one of their leading members predicted on Tuesday.

“Discussions on the formation of a [new governing] coalition are taking place within the framework of Orinats Yerkir, the Republican Party (HHK) and the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK),” said Heghine Bisharian, deputy chairwoman of the Orinats Yerkir. “After this negotiating process is over I think that a coalition will be formed by these three political forces.”

Bisharian told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am) that her party and the HHK have already agreed on the parameters of their continued cooperation and only need to clarify cooperation terms with the third coalition partner. The talks with the BHK will end “soon,” she said.

Armenian Ruling Parties ‘Close’ To New Coalition Accord

Armenia’s two main governing parties have agreed in principle to form a new coalition government after winning the overwhelming majority of seats in the new parliament, one of their senior figures said on Monday.

Hmayak Hovannisian, a veteran politician linked with the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), claimed that the BHK and President Serzh Sarkisian’s Republican Party (HHK) now only need to work out details of their new power-sharing accord. “Right now we are talking about clarifying terms,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun.am).

“Prosperous Armenia certainly wants to get the post of prime minister and thus have the Republican Party indirectly recognize that the official election results do not reflect the real picture of popular support for political forces,” Hovannisian said. Should the HHK finally reject that demand the party led by businessman Gagik Tsarukian could be offered more ministerial posts in Sarkisian’s government, he added.  Read more... (601 words)

HAK candidates dispute election results in CC

Six candidates running for “majoritarian” seats in the May 6 parliamentary elections are disputing election results.
Samvel Harutyunyan [Constituency No 37], Manuel Gasparyan [Constituency No 3], Nikol Pashinyan [Constituency No 7], Gagik Nersisyan [Constituency No 17], David Matevoysan [Constituency No 38] and Levon Zurabyan [Constituency No 9], all representatives of the Armenian National Congress (HAK), have already applied to the Constitutional Court demanding to annul the results of the vote in their electoral districts.

Hovhannes Papikyan, a spokesman for the Constitutional Court, says the preliminary study of applications lasts eight days.

The CC President has instructed the court members to study the applications in accordance with the law and report about the results.

Source: A1+ – Originial Article

OEK Minister not going to yield his portfolio

The portfolio of the Minister of Transport and Communications is likely to be taken from the Rule of Law Party (OEK).

Minister Manuk Vardanyan says he is unaware of the oncoming appointments in the new government. According to press reports, Gagik Beglaryan, who entered the National Assembly on the party list of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), has ‘an eye’ on the position.

According to rumors, the government is discontent with the minister.

Manuk Vardanyan says he will be glad to retain the post. The minister says nothing is decided yet; however he does not rule out that he may leave the party.

“If they were displeased with my work, they would say it openly. I have heard any complaints,” Mr. Vardanyan told A1+.  Read more... (155 words)

New Book by Liz Chater: ”Marble Hall Hong Kong – A Pictorial Review” Published

Liz Chater, a family history researcher, announces that the first book in a series of biographical ‘lifestyle accounts’ that highlight the remarkable life of Sir Catchick Paul Chater, an Indian Armenian businessman, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries has now been published.

This particular book ”Marble Hall Hong Kong – A Pictorial Review” also includes other residences associated with Sir Paul including his town house in Caine Road Hong Kong, Chater’s Bungalow in Kowloon and a feature on Buxey Lodge the home of Sir H.N. Mody who was a business partner and life long friend of Sir Paul in Hong Kong.  Read more... (266 words)

HAK Rep: A Large Segment of the Nation Resembles Msra Melik

20:18, May 7, 2012Mesrop Mesropyan, a representative of HAK who served on the campaign staff of Sasoun Mikayelyan, who was defeated in the recent parliamentary election, told reporters today that the “collective character of the Armenian people has become unfamiliar and strange to him.”In what appeared to be an argument for the HAK’s poor showing in the election, Mesropyan made references to the national epic Daredevils of Sasoun.“Even the most negative characters in our national epic, Tzenov Ohan and Tsran Vergo didn’t exemplify those despicable traits that now characterize a large segment of Armenia’s residents,” he said, adding that they now resemble Msra Melik, the epic’s main antagonist, due to their lying and maliciousness.Mesropyan said that he doesn’t think that Sasoun Mikayelyan was defeated.“People like Sasoun aren’t beaten. They can be sacrificed in the name of the fatherland, for the brighter days to come for our people, but never beaten.”  Read more... (157 words)