Today, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of Armenia, was selected to head the ticket of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) in the upcoming Yerevan mayoral election. The selection of Ter-Petrosyan was made at a joint session of the HAK’s Political Council and the party’s Central Office.
In a released statement to this effect it is reported that the political parties at the session, taking into account that the city of Yerevan plays a pivotal role in the political and economic life of the country, deemed the upcoming mayoral; election as a pivotal element in the restoration of constitutional order in Armenia.
In a related decision, the political parties in the HAK alliance have authorized the Central Office to review the proposal of the Heritage Party to run on a joint ticket in the election.
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Կարեն Կարապետյան (3476) – 1 year 24 weeks ago
My first reaction to these news was that this is an absolutely wrong move by LTP, because it means effectively admitting a defeat and settiling for a far inferior position within the Regime's structure, while the position of the ANC so far has been that LTP is the President Elect. On the second thought, however, Mayor of Yerevan is a position with a lot of potential and a good platform for popular mobilisation. One must not forget that Mikhail Saakashvily was a Mayor of Tbilisy before the Orange Revoltion. Position of Mayor gave him an effective platform to gather popular support.
So what do people think? Is this a face-saving move by LTP admitting the defeat in Presidential elections and settling down for whatever position within the Regime's sructure? Or, is it another tactical move that aims for grander prospects?
Bruce Tasker (2494) – 1 year 24 weeks ago
I would agree with your second opinion, it will be a good platform for popular mobilization, leading up to the next parliamentary and Presidential elections.
Through the past year the regime has shown its true colors, and many who were previously Sargsyan supporters (for whatever reason) have moved over to the LTP camp, so the ANC will inevitably gain a large majority in the election. The question is whether or not he will be able to beat the system (democratically) and actually be declared the winner. For that he will need overwhelming support in the pre-election campaigns (which I understand start on the 2nd May) to demonstrate his superiority to the local electorate and the international community and force through his nomination.
The problem will then no doubt be that, if the Congress holds the Mayors office, the regime will do all it can to minimize the Mayor's authority.
My question is: If LTP wins in this election, must he personally occupy the Mayors office, or can he nominate another person on his list for the post, for instance Stepan Demerchian?
Ani (3151) – 1 year 24 weeks ago
Bruce, I had exactly the same question, since I don't understand the voting system.
The first concern about this election was that nobody would take notice of it--but I think everybody in Yerevan has heard about it by now, right? So putting LTP at the head of the ticket took care of that, now the next question is, does that mean he would be mayor if elected, or would the elected council members select the actual mayor?
Anonymous (633) – 1 year 23 weeks ago
A European political system is much like a game of chess. It doesn't matter if you have the options of a Queen, Knight, Pawn etc. Any one individual piece can take down a cornered king. The President and the Republican Party, along with the oligarchs are steadily running out of moves. Even now, they are playing Levon's game. They must respond to his tactics now. The situation of the economy and dollar shortage favors Levon even further.
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