Armenian politicians’ jokes on April Fools’ Day

Tert.am has talked to representatives of the Republican, Prosperous Armenia and Heritage parties, asking them each to tell one lie devoted to the April Fools’ Day.

The spokesperson of the ruling Republican Party, Edward Sharmazanov, said his April 1 lie is the expectation of the Heritage party’s victory in the upcoming Yerevan City Council election. “Tomorrow is the Republican’s day, and we are not going to work,” he said, adding that he used to joke much in childhood.

“I haven’t been deceived in politics, and haven’t told a lie on April 1 as this is the first time I give an interview on this day,” Sharmazanov continued.

Tigran Uriikyanyan, a spokesperson for Prosperous Armenia, addressed the Yerevan municipality’s budget, noting that it envisages repairing all the trafficable streets of the capital. “I said it with a sad tone because it is a very sad joke. I would like it to be serious. I feel sorry we have to make such a joke,” he noted.

Urikhanyan said he believes April 1 is identical with all the other days of the calendar in politics. “In this respect, I would like us to be disappointed a little bit and feel somewhat cheated,” he said.

But Urikhanyan did not remember himself being cheated in life.

“Everybody knows I am not married yet, but last year, I learned from the press all of a sudden that I am not only married but also had a girl baby. And people would congratulate me on the occasion. So the whole year turned into an April 1 for me. It was very surprising and ridiculous. I don’t know; perhaps it was something they knew or didn’t know. For me, at least, it was the most ridiculous case, not corresponding with the reality,” he added.

Speaking on the topic, the press secretary of Heritage, Hovsep Khurshudyan, said he never remembers humors, and refused to even tell a lie. He opposed to the Republican’s counterpart’s lie, saying that he is confident of their political force’s success in the upcoming elections.

“Telling a lie is something difficult for me. I must think much before answering such a complicated question,” he told our correspondent.

Khurshudyan added that he sees people in Armenia encounter lies every day, with April 1 being no exception.