Top 10 political events of 2011 from PanARMENIAN.Net

PanARMENIAN.Net - 10. New Electoral Code

The new Electoral Code, according to the authorities will ensure fair and most transparent elections in the history of modern Armenia. It was favored by international institutions, including the Venice Commission but received harsh criticism from the Armenian opposition.

9. Trchkan waterfall and ecologists’ victory

Ecologists’ struggle to protect Trchkan waterfall against construction of a hydropower plant that ended in greens’ rare victory emerged as one of the major domestic events.

8. Heritage opposition party leader Raffi Hovannisian’s 15-day hunger strike

Mr. Hovannisian’s hunger strike in Liberty Square was one of the hotly debated topics in March 2011. Hungry for Change: Freedom and Justice in Armenia protest action lasted 15 days.

7. Armenian army

Armenian army saw both positive and negative events. On the one hand, the military parade astonished with its might; on the other hand, numerous deadly incidents aroused great concerns.

6. Rumors of Robert Kocharian’s return

After the decision of Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to regain presidency, rumors of possible repetition of the Russian scenario went afloat in Armenia. Robert Kocharian, at the same time, repeatedly criticized the current authorities in media interviews.

5. Prosperous Armenia factor

In the course of the year, Prosperous Armenia party was trying to get rid of the image of ‘younger’ coalition partner of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. The conflict escalated when PA leader Gagik Tsarukyan allegedly refused to support incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan at the future elections.

4. Nagorno Karabakh process and Kazan meeting

The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs’ tried to intensify talks for settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev organizing meetings with Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders. However, the landmark presidential gathering in Kazan on June 24 yielded no tangible result.

3. Political dialogue

Amid pressing social problems and Arab spring, the authorities had to meet radical opposition halfway and start dialogue with the major opposition force – the Armenian National Congress.

2. Parade of resignations

The chain of resignations shook the country in autumn. The first to go was head of the presidential administration Karen Karapetyan, followed by his namesake Karen Karapetyan, the mayor of Yerevan. National Assembly speaker Hovik Abrahamyan and police chief Alik Sargsyan resigned on November 1, the former to chair the RPA election headquarters and the latter to assume the post of presidential advisor.

1. ANC rallies The rallies of the Armenian National Congress opposition bloc started in February and continued through the whole year with the main demand of President's resignation and conduction of extraordinary elections.