The PAP and the ARF with their decisions on shifting the electoral system to a 100% proportionate one are trying to influence the upcoming presidential elections. It Is not clear, though, what aim they are chasing. Both the PAP and the ARF have proposed similar options for the benefit of making the country a parliamentary one and this might be viewed as either a step to draw the mass media attention towards them or a justify their decision on choosing a candidate for the presidential elections.
The First News and Analyses talked to ARF representative Armen Rostomyan about the current developments. He had previously expressed his opinion on boycotting the presidential elections and to the question whether he had previously agreed his view with other coalition powers, he answered it was not. They have started elaborating their plan with 7 points and the boycotting used to be one the options to reach the power change and that it was excluded from these points. Armen Rostomyan spoke about the similarity of views between the ARF and PAP proposals on the upcoming presidential elections and reminded they have 7 points while PAP presented only 2. No official announcement on the ARF side from the PAP has been made so far and today they will be discussing these issues during the meeting. ARF member also mentioned the party is not aimed at making someone a president, instead they are interested in a leader that would be responsible for the implementation of the 7 points they have. To the argument that the PAP and ARF have made a coalition on the eve of the parliamentary elections based on their initiatives, Rostomyan stated their cooperation includes a larger spectrum and believe the package they have proposed is fully capable of solving the problems the country faces today.
Rostomyan concluded with the negation of the fact that Kocharyan was standing behind the ARF and PAP proposals and stated they had had these ideas since they were supporting Kocharyan and that the latter made a couple of ameliorations towards the fulfillment of these points and granted larger powers to the NA but it was not enough. Only in case of the complete accomplishment of the 7 points the ARF has proposed there can be a change in the country.
