Not nominating its candidates in the local elections to be held on September 9 in a number of Armenia’s regions is, may be, the strongest evidence of the opposition’s weakness, Hmayak Hovhannisyan, Chairman of the Union of Political Scientists of Armenia, told Tert.am, as he commented on the fact that candidates nominated by the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), as well as unaffiliated candidates, are competing in more than 500 communities.

About ten candidates nominated by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) and Rule of Law party, as well as candidates nominated by the National Democrats Union (NDU), Ramkavar Azatakan and Heritage parties – one of each of the parties – intend to participate in the local elections.

In her latest interview with the Zhoghovurd newspaper, Lyudmila Sargsyan, a member of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) parliamentary group, pointed out financial reasons for the ANC not nominating its candidates.

“I do not have such information nor do I rule anything out,” Hovhannisyan said. He noted that, with PAP-ANC cooperation and PAP’s financial standing, the ANC can hardly be unable to nominate its candidates.

“Nothing is a chance in politics. If Ter-Petrosyan praises Gagik Tsarukyan, we should consider the fact that the PAP, led by Armenia’s richest oligarch, would certainly give him a helping hand,” Hovhannisyan said.

Another story if the ANC decided to support PAP candidates and it is a political decision.

He considers logical that incumbent Gyumri Mayor Vardan Ghukasyan is not running for the second term as the RPA is most likely to support his rival, Samvel Balasanyan (PAP).

“It is clear that Balasanyan is a favorite candidate, and Ghukasyan’s nomination might have a dubious end,” Hovhannisyan said.

With respect to the political intrigue, when the Gyumri mayor did not apply for participation until the last moment, Hovhannisyan said that it had been agreed with the RPA. “As much as it was necessary for the PAP to guarantee its further behavior, namely its statement that it will not support ANC in raising the issue of impeaching Armenia’s president.”