Serzh Sargsyan tightens the screws ahead of elections

Serzh Sargsyan tightens the screws ahead of elections

What we have to do is to wait for the events that will inevitably follow and reveal the true reasons behind the resignations.

The stir created by the recent 'parade' of resignations in Armenia seems to wane to be replaced by a sober analysis of the situation.

PanARMENIAN.Net - Head of the presidential administration Karen Karapetyan acted the role of 'the first swallow' to be followed by Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan (October 28), National Assembly speaker Hovik Abrahamyan and police chief Alik Sargsyan (November 1), causing rumors of resignation of high-ranking officials and ministers, the most mentioned among them being the Minister of Territorial Administration, Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, who, however, retained his post.

Each resignation certainly had its own logic but the public was displeased with the explanations. Statements about diligent activity of police chief Alik Sargsyan, who was nevertheless replaced by Deputy Defense Minister Vladimir Gasparyan, seemed at least odd.

It was obvious that lieutenant general Sargsyan failed not only to cope with the protesters at the government building but also to set order in his own institution. The latter is proved by the recent arrests of the head of the criminal investigation department and road police chief.

Under the circumstances, the appointment of Sargsyan to the post of presidential advisor seems even more strange, arousing a question how a man who could not call to order his own people will be capable to give advice to the head of state.

The resignation of Mayor Karen Karapetyan was understandable, as the typical west-style manager could hardly succeed in preparing the ground for elections that would satisfy the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. But on the other hand, Taron Margaryan, the son of late Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, got a real chance to prove his worth and the city head.

The most unexpected was the resignation of parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan and his appointment as the head of RPA election headquarters, although the law allows occupation of both posts simultaneously. Here it's worth mentioning that the resignation came amid the conflict between the RPA and Prosperous Armenia party, whose leader, Gagik Tsarukyan, is a relative of Abrahamyan.

The story with the resignation of deputy head of staff of the presidential office Mikael Minasyan, who is also the son-in-law of President Sargsyan, and his further appointment as Abrahamyan's deputy poured oil on the flames.

As a result, media and experts developed several quite opposite versions of the purpose of the reshuffle.

An interesting variant was offered by New Times party leader Aram Karapetyan, who supposed that forming such a powerful election headquarters six months ahead of the parliamentary election, President Sargsyan plans to use the experience of his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili, who announced pre-term presidential election simultaneously with the parliamentary, thus taking advantage of unreadiness if the opposition for such a scenario.

He also presumed that there is no conflict between Serzh Sargsyan and former President Robert Kocharian.So, what we have to do is to wait for the events that will inevitably follow and reveal the true reasons behind the resignations.

Hayk Khalatyan / PanARMENIAN News
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