Zhoghovurd: Current Armenian authorities 'are legitimate' - ruling party MP rejects snap elections  

In an interview with ArmLur.am, an a member of the ruling My Step faction in parliament, Narek Zeynalyan, said their meetings and debates with the large public circles - coupled with the opposition rallies - revealed the absence of a public demand for snap parliamentary elections. He said they are not afraid of losing hold on power, relying on the legitimacy of their government.

Mr. Zeynalyan, the My Step parliamentary bloc held a session attended also by [Prime Minister] Nikol Pashinyan. Did you attend the session?  

Yes.

The conduct of snap parliamentary elections was on the agenda, and a statement was released that the authorities reject snap elections. Did you back the idea?  

The prime minister stated initially that he is holding working discussions to consider possibilities of snap parliamentary elections. That is to say, if the political forces call for the prime minister’s resignation - and it is unacceptable to them because the people themselves are to give their vote [of confidence] –it is for the people to decide who should be at the helm of state in Armenia. The prime minister initiated consultations, an agenda to which all the political forces were virtually opposed to, thereby admitting in essence that there are legitimate authorities in Armenia. Given the absence of a wide public demand for snap elections, My Step bloc decided – at least as part of the statement released –to pursue the intended agenda  and analyze its implementation to outline our actions accordingly, Yes, our faction does not see a need for snap elections – as can be seen from the statement released.

How did you conduct the discussions with broad circles? Did you conduct surveys or hold any meetings? How did you arrive at the understanding that the public does not want any snap election?

First of all, the rejection to join the campaign launched by extra-parliamentary and parliamentary forces. There are also the available surveys – conducted by independent organizations – as well as our dialogues with the populations and the regional visits. The opinion was formed as a result of all those processes.

The parliamentary opposition insists on the conduct of snap election, but they reject the agenda of polls under the leadership of the [incumbent] prime minister. They never rejected the idea of elections.

Two parliamentary factions rejected preterm elections. And no substantial debate was held in that connection - in terms of either the timeframes and the format. That means they admit that the current authorities are legitimate. They do not see any need for snap parliamentary elections.

Should an embattled government step down? Do you think this government is irreplaceable?

No government is irreplaceable. Repeating myself I have to state that there is not public demand for snap elections.

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