Armenian opposition could unite around Raffi Hovannisian, expert says

YEREVAN, February 12. /ARKA/. Armenian opposition could unite and back Raffi Hovannisian’s candidacy in the presidential vote, head of Alternative analytical centre, PhD in economy, professor Tatul Manaseryan told a press conference Tuesday.

“If there is such an opportunity, it will be desirable if the opposition unites around Raffi Hovannisian, bearing in mind that he is able to convince the audience of the reliability of his numbers and promises”, Manaseryan said.

Ex foreign minister and leader of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian promised to bring 300 billion drams back to the state budget the first year if elected, of them 250 billion from legalization of black economy and 50 billion from axing state expenditures.

According to Hovhannisian, if all his plans are implemented, some 600,000 people will join the middle class and 180,000 new jobs will be opened. If elected, he will raise all the pensions, as well as education, science, healthcare and defense spending within a year, through campaign against the black economy. Hovannisian also promised to gradually reduce taxes for all social groups.

According to the expert, Raffi Hovannisian has quite interesting economic provisions in his platform, which are more realistic that those in the platforms of most other candidates.

“On the other hand, and that’s also very important, Hovannisian himself mentions that there are people in his team who can do much more and present the steps in much more detail if he is elected”, Manaseryan said.

Uniting around one candidate will have favorable impact on the election campaign processes and will promote more healthy competition.

Presidential contender, leader of National Self-Determination Union party Paruyr Hayrikyan who survived an assassination attempt on January 31, suggested the leading opposition candidates, ex-premier Hrant Bagratyan and leader of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian uniting and running a joint candidate in the elections.

Armenian presidential elections are scheduled for February 18. Seven nominees are running for president: incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister and leader of Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister and head of Heritage party Raffi Hovhannisyan, famous Soviet dissident and leader of National Self-Determination party Paruyr Hayrikyan, ex foreign minister of Karabakh Arman Melikyan, political scientist and head of Radio Hay Andrias Ghukasyan and philologist Vardan Sedrakyan.  -0-