Orinats Yerkir Party did not support initiative to unite Armenian opposition

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An uneasy situation occurred in Armenia in connection with the forthcoming elections, and the situation will divide those who are weak and unite those who are strong, leader of the opposition Orinats Yerkir party, ex-chair of the parliament Artur Bagdassaryan announced at a news conference today. He reminded that as early as today Europe is showing interest in the upcoming elections. He also said that Armenia needs to cooperate closely with NATO, which will result in political consequences and, of course, to cooperate with the EU in order to become a member of the European community.

Artur Bagdassaryan noted once again that there was no need for opposition to unite in a single bloc; according to him, it will only make it easier for the authorities, only one strike will be enough to neutralize protest forces. Speaking of participation of his party in the elections, he said that Orinats Yerkir will go to the parliamentary elections on its own without blocking with any force. As he said, a very interesting pre-election situation established in Armenia, and the elections 2007 can be treated as “a window of opportunity.” Meanwhile, he said that obstacles are being put in conducting election-campaigns, as 1 minute of broadcasting costs 100,000 dram, which is, according to him, several times more than a minimal salary. Bagdassaryan stressed that responsibility for conducting fair elections is first of all on the authorities, which are obliged to create equal conditions for all political forces.

It is worth mentioning, after the parliamentary elections 2003 Orinats Yerkir entered the ruling coalition together with ARF Dashnaktsutyun and the Republican Party. In May 2006, Orinats Yerkir party left the ruling coalition and entered the protest camp. The party’s leader Artur Bagdasaryan resigned from the post of the parliamentary speaker.