Prosperous Armenia’s nominating Robet Kocharian for president unwise – expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - Political expert Suren Surenyants commented on a possible link between Prosperous Armenia’s refusal to join the coalition with the party’s plans to support Robert Kocharian’s candidacy at 2013 presidential elections.

As the expert told a news conference in Yerevan, “I can’t deny Robert Kocharian’s involvement in Armenia’s political life, however, I believe the party leader Gagik Tsarukyan has enough common sense and experience to realize the party rating will drop to zero should Kocharian’s name become associated with Prosperous Armenia.”

“It won’t be a wise step for Prosperous Armenia to nominate Kocharian for president, seeing as the party could come up with a more interesting candidacy, for instance, Tsarukyan” he said.

“Kocharian’s name is associated with bloodshed and the society hasn’t forgotten about that. The-ex president belongs in the jail, rather than politics,” the expert said.

Prosperous Armenia issued a statement, which said the party doesn’t consider involvement in coalition government formation a reasonable step.

“We maintained a common position throughout the whole election campaign. I have repeatedly stated that I pursue no personal goals other than political. Moreover, I reiterate readiness to suffer a loss to retain public trust,” Gagik Tsarukyan stated.

According to polling results, Prosperous Armenia garnered about half a million votes. These people voted for our party, out of faith in us and the demand for tangible changes in the country’s social and economic life. Given the election outcomes, Prosperous Armenia has no constitutional possibility to participate in government formation and implement its programs. Thus, I declare that our party doesn’t deem participation in coalition formation reasonable,” the statement by party leader read.