Member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) Gagik Melikyan advised the Armenian National Congress (ANC) not to speak the language of ultimatums and demands with the authorities.

“When the authorities display discretion and offer a dialogue to all the political forces, it does not mean they are so weak that will agree to any suggestion or demand,” Melikyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

He added that there are not any legal grounds or political prerequisites for holding pre-term elections in Armenia.

Melikyan also commented on a statement of Aram Manukyan, one of ANC leaders, that the congress is waiting for President Serzh Sargsyan’s response. Manukyan also said that “even a guard of Serzh Sargsyan’s office can make statements, if he has relevant powers.” Melikyan advised ANC to meet with RPA guard, if it prefers negotiations with guards. The RPA member noted that similar statements by ANC and attitude towards the dialogue are unacceptable. According to Melikyan, there is no need in the President’s statement. He added that RPA is ready to submit to the parliament those suggestions of ANC, which are within the interests of the people and state, but not solely ANC.

From February 20, 2008, the Armenian opposition led by first president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who ran for presidency in 2008, but was not elected, held rallies in the central part of Yerevan, protesting against the election results. The protest actions resulted in unrest and clashes between the police and rally participants on March 1-2. According to the Office of RA Prosecutor General, around 200 people were injured, 10 people were killed, and over 100 people were arrested.

In May 2011, President Serzh Sargsyan offered the National Assembly to declare amnesty on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence, the proposal being based on article 81.1.1 of the RA Constitution and article 90 of the law on National Assembly regulations. With a vote 91-0, the Armenian parliament approved the proposal for amnesty for 396 people to be released and 379 to have their sentence cut.

During a recent political council session, Armenian National Congress (ANC) named the composition of ANC delegation to negotiate with the authorities. The delegation includes ANC coordinator Levon Zurabyan, representative of the central bureau David Shahnazaryan, a member of ANC economic committee, the head of ANC structure in Malatya Vahagn Khachatryan, People’s Party of Armenia secretary Felix Khachatryan and deputy head of Armenian National Movement Samvel Abrahamyan.