Expert: Yerkrapah Volunteer Union won’t back RPA

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerkrapah Volunteer Union is unlikely to endorse ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) during forthcoming parliamentary race, according to Armenian political analyst.

“The union has always retained power due to its neutral stance during elections,” Suren Surenyants told a press conference, adding that the organization comprises members of various political forces both governmental and oppositional.

Dwelling on Armenian President’s participation in Yerkrapah Union’s oncoming convention scheduled for February 18, the expert noted that all RA Presidents have traditionally attended the Union’s conventions, except for Serzh Sargsyan in 2010.

“Perhaps, he was still resentful then,” political analyst said with irony, commenting on President Sargsyan’s absence at 2010 convention.

During opposition rallies in February 2008 following presidential elections, Levon Ter-Petrossian stated that head of Yerkrapah Union, Lieutenant General Manvel Grigoryan had shifted to the side of the opposition. The latter soon was relieved of the post by Armenian President Robert Kocharian’s decree.

Surenyants further informed about having submitted an application for joining the Union due to close ties with it.

Yerkrapah Volunteer Union was established in 1993. It currently comprises over 10 thous. members, majority of whom are veterans of Artsakh national liberation struggle.