Pro-Russian political forces potential winners in parliament polls – Armenian expert

Political forces pursuing a pro-Russian stance have high chances to win in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia, according to Aram Safaryan, the president of the Yerevan-based NGO "Integration and Development" and a coordinator for the Eurasian Expert Club.

At a news conference on Friday, the expert cited a recent public opinion survey which he said revealed an overwhelming support fpr the Armenian-Russian relations. “All the surveys conducted among the population in Armenia reveal that 70% are in support of deepening the Armenian-Russian relations; they back [President Vladimir] Putin’s policy line and expect the bilateral relations to develop further,” he said, adding that the survey covers also the opinion of the over 2 million Armenians residing in Russia or having connections with the country.  

With 90% of Armenia’s population pinning their hope on Russia, it is absolutely logical for our
society to favor those political parties which act in support of developing and deepening the economic interests with the country, Safaryan added.

“I find that [Prime Minister] Karen Karapetyan’s policy trend towards finding investors, discovering partners and pushing for progress in the different branches of Armenia’s economy does really reflect the Armenian population’s expectation,” he said, admitting that Karapetyan’s cabinet benefits largely from the comprehensive support of the Russian political elite and partners.

Safaryan said he also sees that the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) remains a sole leader in the efforts towards expending and deepening the Armenian-Russian relations.

“The lion’s share in the development of the Armenia-Russia relations falls upon the RPA, which cooperates and maintains close ties with [Russia’s ruling] United Russia party,” he added.

The Prosperous Armenia party, led by Gagik Tsarukyan, and the pre-election bloc formed by the businessman-politician, come in the second, the expert said, adding that the opposition Armenian National Congress is in the third place.

“Certain political forces in Armenia try to reduce to silence the Armenia-Russia relations,” Safaryan said, attributing such a behavior to political maneuvers between the West and Russia.

The expert said he knows that Western diplomats and politicians too, profoundly understand and highlight the fact that there is no alternative to the developing Armenia-Russia relations.

“There is no other pole ready to shoulder the entire burden,” he added.