October 25, 2012 - 14:27 AMT
Expert says ANC can’t rival RPA alone

Armenian presidential election results will be highly predictable unless Prosperous Armenia party nominates a candidate for the February race, Caucasus Institute director, political analyst Alexander Iskandaryan said.

The expert believes Prosperous Armenia’s possible nomination of own candidate to be the greatest intrigue of the upcoming polls.

“Rather serious pressure is exerted on both Prosperous Armenia leader Gagik Tsarukyan and party member Vartan Oskanian,” he said.

“Prosperous Armenia has two options: it will either nominate own candidate, party leader Gagik Tsarukyan in all probability, or it will back the ruling Republican Party of Armenia,” Mr. Iskandaryan said, deeming Serzh Sargsyan to be RPA’s only presidential candidate.

As the expert noted, RPA seeks to reach another agreement with Prosperous Armenia to stave off the latter’s nomination of own presidential candidate.

In this context, he noted the cooperation with the Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc less probable.

“ANC won’t be able to rival RPA alone,” the expert said.