Armenian MP accuses RA authorities of Raffi Hovannisian's hunger strike

PanARMENIAN.Net - Member of the ARF Dashnakstutyun parliamentary group Lilit Galstyan considers the RA authorities to be guilty of the hunger strike launched by leader of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian.

Galstyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter that she, as a politician and citizen, is saddened by the current situation - the fact that such a radical way of political struggle is selected by the leader of the political party, which is represented in the parliament and is influential in the political life. According to her, Hovannisian did not see another alternative to his initiative under the established conditions.

Galstyan said that the coalition statement, through which the authorities try to "concrete" the political field for the next seven years, has resulted in polarization and radicalization of the confronting parties.

She said that dialogue with the authorities resembles a "conversation with the Chinese Wall, a voice in the wilderness."

Asked why Hovannisian did not use the parliamentary tribune in his political struggle, Galstyan said that the legislative initiatives of the parliamentary opposition are rejected.

During the March 15 extraordinary congress of Heritage, Hovannisian urged Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to resign and thus to ensure fair and independent elections in the country. He also announced the start of “Hungry for Change: Freedom and Justice in Armenia” hunger strike and promised to coordinate his future steps with the party members.

Besides, Hovannisian came to the extraordinary congress of the party with a new image - he has taken off moustache. Asked by a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter what are the reasons behind his new image, Hovannisian said: “I wanted to feel myself younger for a moment. I am in search of youth.” In his opening speech, Hovannisian explained his new image to the congress participants, saying that "Heritage, like the entire country enters a new stage - stage of renewals, youth and future."