Upcoming snap elections ‘unusually decisive for Armenia,' says former Karabakh parliament speaker

In an interview with Tert.am, a former speaker of the National Assembly of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) spoke of the “unusually decisive character” of the upcoming snap parliamentary elections in Armenia, considering the process extremely crucial from the perspective of the coming years.

Ashot Ghulyan said he deeply regrets for the first time ever that he personally – like many other citizens of Artsakh – are not legally entitled to have their direct participation in the voting. “I am sure that the Armenians in most different communities of the Diaspora would like to participate in the elections.

“Yes, the upcoming elections are not going to be usual at all, as they will predetermine [the chances of] our political, military,  economic and psychological rehabilitation. It is extremely important in what atmosphere [the processes] will be going on, i.e – whether we will continue splitting up the nation, revenging dissidence or launching adventurous programs to twist all our partners in international relations around the little finger so to speak or we will re-establish national solidarity and embark on constructive work to form a skilled governing team capable of pursuing foreign policies perceivable to the international partners. It is from that perspective that we are required to evaluate the political forces and the political leader bidding for responsibility for the country’s future. And the citizen of the Republic of Armenia has a chance - on the 20th of June - to compare the proposals presented, giving an in-depth evaluation to the past and vote in favour of those [political] figures and forces whose leadership will not end up in leaving us stigmatized, and whom we will trust our children’s future.

“In my deepest conviction, our political platform today does present political forces realizing the truth and guiding themselves accordingly. And so they are the ones to be entrusted with handling the future of Armenia and hence - the entire Armenian nation.

 “The bearers of that ideology today are, in my understanding, Armenia Alliance, I Have the Honor bloc and the Prosperous Armenia party. The coalition of those political forces must form the future government under the leadership of second President Robert Kocharyan. It must work painstakingly day and night with a specific program aimed at re-establishing national dignity. I believe that such a political arrangement in the Motherland will inspire the Artsakh resident with confidence and hope for overcoming this wearisome atmosphere of uncertainty and continuing to build his or her own future in Artsakh,” he said.