  Freedom House calls on Armenia to conduct democratic electionsMay 29, 2009 - 22:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Mayoral elections in Yerevan will become the first significant voting since Serzh Sargsyan's victory in presidential elections last year, Freedom House official website reports.According to the statement, last years' election results caused accusations of voting falsifications and lead to collision between police and opposition demonstrators. According to Freedom House European Department Director, Vladimir Shkolnikov, Municipal elections in Yerevan open wide possibilities to restore the citizens' trust towards democratic process. After independence declaration in Armenia, Mayoral elections in Yerevan will be the first ones conducted via voting, instead of presidential appointment. Millennium Challenge Corporation, which has frozen part of USD236 million financial assistance package after RA Presidential elections, will be observing the election process 3 candidates are running for Yerevan Mayor. First runners-up are Republican party's candidate, City Administration employee Gagik Beglaryan and RA NC candidate, ex-President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who was the main competitor of Sezh Sargsyan at last year's presidential elections.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Related sections Topic Latest news Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush provinceNarek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |
