Five opposition parties launch new resistance phase

PanARMENIAN.Net - Five political forces that participated in the parliamentary elections have issued a joint statement declaring that the Constitutional Court’s ruling marks not the end of their struggle, but the beginning of a new, more coordinated, institutional and large-scale phase of political resistance.

The statement was signed by the Strong Armenia alliance, the Hayastan alliance, the Prosperous Armenia Party, the Armenian National Congress, and the National Democratic Pole Pan-Armenian Party.

According to the statement:

• The Constitutional Court’s ruling does not resolve the issue of the legitimacy of the emerging government. The signatories argue that a government formed under the existing conditions and based on the announced election results lacks legitimacy.
• The ruling does not correct alleged electoral fraud, eliminate what the parties describe as widespread election violations, or resolve the country’s deep political and legal crisis.

The statement says that, on the contrary, the highest judicial authority’s refusal to formally acknowledge alleged violations deepens the existing crisis, does not contribute to national reconciliation, and shifts the struggle into the political arena.

To overcome the current political crisis and restore constitutional order, the signatories say they have agreed on several core priorities for a common political agenda.

Preventing constitutional amendments. The parties describe the constitutional changes being prepared by the current authorities as externally imposed and say they will use all legislative, public and political means to prevent amendments to the Constitution, arguing that such changes would deal a direct and irreversible blow to Armenia’s sovereignty.

Defending the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Referring to what they describe as a systematic unlawful campaign against the Church and the Catholicos of All Armenians, the parties say protecting the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church’s constitutionally guaranteed special mission, rights, property and reputation will be a cornerstone of their political agenda.

Protecting political prisoners’ rights. The statement says a new wave of political repression has begun since the election, claiming that repressive practices accompanying the electoral and political process have sharply increased the number of political prisoners. The parties say they will work together to defend their rights and demand their immediate release.

Removing the current government. The signatories argue that the Constitutional Court’s review of opposition appeals confirmed that replacing the current authorities has become an unavoidable necessity. They say a change of government and the formation of a new national administration remain the only prerequisites for restoring constitutional order, strengthening national unity and ensuring security.

The statement adds that, given what the parties describe as the dismantling of legal institutions, Armenia’s citizens remain the only guarantors of the state and constitutional order.

“Therefore, dear citizens, the Constitutional Court’s ruling is not the end of the struggle, but the beginning of a new, more coordinated, institutional and large-scale phase of political resistance,” the statement says.

The parties also note that discussions among opposition forces on implementing these priorities are continuing. They say further steps, including possible joint initiatives, will be announced in the near future.

The Constitutional Court rejected the appeals filed by seven political forces. Under the final election results, the seats in parliament are allocated as follows: Civil Contract – 64 seats, Strong Armenia – 29 seats, and the Hayastan alliance – 12 seats.