By RFE/RL | Monday, 31 May 2010
YEREVAN -- A senior member of Armenia's ruling party has downplayed the possibility of early elections, which have been called for by the opposition, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
Razmik Zohrabian, deputy head of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), told a press conference today that early elections were out of the question.
"Only two years remain before the [regularly scheduled] elections and [the opposition] badly needs to be getting ready for these elections -- to be making some noise, staging rallies, in short starting an early campaign," Zohrabian said.
Zohrabian said the outcomes of the most recent local elections in some regions of Armenia reassured his party of its strong chances to win in the next parliamentary elections slated for 2012.
The HHK currently holds 63 seats and enjoys the support of five nonaligned lawmakers in the 131-seat National Assembly.
In the current coalition government, the HHK shares power with two minority parties, Prosperous Armenia and Orinats Yerkir (Law-Based State).
Zohrabian also reaffirmed that Armenia's current president and leader of the HHK, Serzh Sargsyan, would be the party's candidate in the next presidential election, planned for 2013. He said Sargsyan had "no serious rival" at the moment.
comments
A Nation Betrayed, A Future to Reclaim: Why Unity is Our Only Path Forward at the 2026 Elections
Armenia Has Become Largest Buyer of Indian Weapons
ARF AU Statement: In solidarity with Tavush
OPED: The Beginning of a New Struggle
Already Scarce Bread to be Rationed in Artsakh Due to Blockade
Artsakh Political Factions Agree On New President
Pashinyan Warns International Community of New Azerbaijani Attacks Against Armenia, Artsakh
Artsakh Students, Kidnapped by Azerbaijan, Released into Armenian Custody
Artsakh Says Azerbaijan’s Demands Further Complicate Situation