Expert: Armenia witnesses shift in political elite

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia currently witnesses shift in political elite, separation of business from politics, Caucasus Institute director said.

Dwelling on the recent resignations in government, Alexander Iskandaryan viewed them as an attempt to keep away business elite form making political decisions, adding that the plan was adopted after 2008 presidential elections and started to be implemented a year ago.

Iskandaryan linked the series of resignations with the pre-election period, with success of the plan depending on the result of parliamentary election.

Recently Armenia has seen a list of resignations sent in by top officials.

On November 1, Armenian parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan announced his resignation to head RPA electoral headquarters and more effectively conduct the campaign.

Former Mayor Karen Karapetyan sent in his resignation on October 28 to be replaced by acting Mayor Taron Margaryan.

On November 1, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree to relieve Armenian police chief, lieutenant general Alik Sargsyan of his duties and to appoint him as a presidential advisor.

By another decree, lieutenant general Vladimir Gasparyan was dismissed as the Deputy Defense Minister and was appointed to the post of Armenian police chief at the government of Armenia.