“First Armenian News and Analysis” had an interview with an expert of electoral technologies Armen Badalyan. The first question given to the expert referred to Armenia’s going to Russia or to Europe and its interests from Europe and losses from Russia. “Domestic politics is highly dependent on foreign one and the latter is developing dynamically in this region. We witnessed how “Arabic spring” brought rule changes in many Arabic countries except Syria, the rest passed under the control of the West. The best proof is Georgia which was announced as not established country by the State Department of the US in 2000. Georgia seemed to have no future then. But then the Revolution of Roses came supported by the West. Today Georgia already has an ideal economy. The political system changed along with political culture. The best proof is the victory of the opposition in parliamentary elections. West gives the most important- competitiveness. Russia and CIS are devoid of this quality.”
The expert was asked whether Russia will let Armenia go to West. “It is natural that no country will let the territory under its control go away. Russia must do much to keep Armenia. The key point here is the presidential elections which will be highly affected by Russia and West. The intrigue is which one of them will appoint the president. The candidate will be chosen from the three influential political parties – ARP, PAP, ANC. These elections differ from the others by the orientation.”
The analysts point that ARF and those having left ANC will fail. The expert was asked to comment why despite this they go to elections. Armen Badalyan said that the president is sure not to be elected by people, but still there will be candidates who have an aim to satisfy their ambitions. Commenting on possible developments, Badalyan said: “It is possible that West and Russia will choose the president and the PM each. Today West doesn’t spread democracy, it aims at influence.”
The expert of electoral technologies didn’t make conjectures on possible second phase of elections saying that the plan is written abroad. “There is one certain candidate – Serzh Sargsyan. The second president is sure to have influence, but one can be almost sure that he won’t be chosen either by West or Russia.”
