Expert says presidential polls 'missed opportunity for Armenia'

PanARMENIAN.Net - Director of Regional Studies Center (RSC), political analyst Richard Giragosian has described the post-election developments as a crisis of confidence in the ruling authorities and the opposition.

The expert noted spreading the movement and presentation of a clear strategy among the challenges the opposition currently faces.

“We have no information as to the opposition developed a program or not,” he said, conditioning the public discontent with failure to unveil March 1, 2008 cases.

“An impression is created that the ruling authorities fail to realize the level of discontent, with consensus noted as the main challenge. Moreover, they have failed to react properly to the current situation, with Hayk Babukhanyan, Artashes Geghamyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan and Shushan Petrosyan only voicing their position in mass media,” the expert said.

Mr Giragosian further noted Raffi Hovannisian as the first politician to have adopted a new strategy, hailing the ex-candidate’s decision to promote his ideas in provinces.

“Hovannisian has become a mediator for implementation of changes,” the expert said, deeming Feb 18 elections as a missed opportunity for Armenia.