Gagik Tsarukyan announces his decision to contest next parliamentary elections
17.01.2017,
16:24
One of the wealthiest Armenian businessmen Gagik Tsarukyan, the founder of the Prosperous Armenia party, announced today his decision to return to politics and to contest the next parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on April 2.
YEREVAN, January 17. /ARKA/. One of the wealthiest Armenian businessmen Gagik Tsarukyan, the founder of the Prosperous Armenia party, announced today his decision to return to politics and to contest the next parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on April 2.
Tsarukyan, who is a member of the outgoing parliament, said in a statement that his decision was prompted by the current internal and external challenges, as well as by popular demand.
‘I declare that I open the closed page of my political activity and will take part in the 2017 parliamentary elections by forming an electoral bloc,’ he said.
He said the door of his party is open to all political forces and figures who are concerned about the future of Armenia.
"We can; we have this large internal capacity for development and strengthening of our country. I have a duty to my people. This is an important decision of my life, this is my cross, which I will bear to the end for the sake of Armenia and Armenian people," Tsarukyan said.
Tsarukyan said also that he had never aspired after power, did not and will not seek any government position.
"After the known events in February 2015 I closed my page of political activity to prevent
the peaceful and fair national surge from escalating into confrontation and bloodshed. I would have never forgiven myself possible loss of human life and is grateful that the people understood me," Tsarukyan's statement says.
However, according to him, after his departure from the political scene, no political force could fill the resulting gap. He said he would not re-involve in political processes, if he were convinced that the country was moving in the right direction, that the economy was growing and that the level of the well-being of people was on the rise.
"Unfortunately, we have a huge out-emigration, weak and ailing economy, constant increase in poverty, high unemployment and lack of confidence in the future. I can not remain indifferent to the fate of the people, especially in view of numerous daily requests and appeals to return to politics, " Tsarukyan said.
He said his ongoing charitable programs are a proof they are free from political overtones.
"However, despite the significant amounts of my charity, it can not solve all the problems facing the Armenian people. Instead of forming a society, waiting for charity, we must create necessary conditions for economic development and job creation. The 2017 elections will be crucial for the future of Armenia," said Tsarukyan.
The Prosperous Armenia party was created in 2004. In the current parliament it has the second largest faction. In 2015, Tsarukyan resigned as head of the party because of a conflict with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. The discord between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Gagik Tsarukyan escalated in 2015 February.
Speaking on February 12 at a meeting of the executive board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, President Sargsyan lashed out at his former coalition partner describing him as ‘a scourge for the country who lacks intelligence, skills and education to govern Armenia.’
Sargsyan told then Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan to instruct corresponding bodies to thoroughly investigate the veracity of “unverified reports” implicating Tsarukyan in large-scale tax evasion. In retaliation to Sargsyan’s crackdown, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia said the following day that the current situation in the country requires solution and 'the only solution is a complete change of power through extraordinary presidential elections.'
Gagik Tsarukyan said also he was offered the post of president of the country but only after constitutional reforms that would turn Armenia into a parliamentary republic. He claimed that the reform is aimed at enabling Sargsyan to stay in power after the end of his second and final presidential term in 2018. Tsarukyan said he declined the offer causing Sargsyan’s anger. -0-
Tsarukyan, who is a member of the outgoing parliament, said in a statement that his decision was prompted by the current internal and external challenges, as well as by popular demand.
‘I declare that I open the closed page of my political activity and will take part in the 2017 parliamentary elections by forming an electoral bloc,’ he said.
He said the door of his party is open to all political forces and figures who are concerned about the future of Armenia.
"We can; we have this large internal capacity for development and strengthening of our country. I have a duty to my people. This is an important decision of my life, this is my cross, which I will bear to the end for the sake of Armenia and Armenian people," Tsarukyan said.
Tsarukyan said also that he had never aspired after power, did not and will not seek any government position.
"After the known events in February 2015 I closed my page of political activity to prevent
the peaceful and fair national surge from escalating into confrontation and bloodshed. I would have never forgiven myself possible loss of human life and is grateful that the people understood me," Tsarukyan's statement says.
However, according to him, after his departure from the political scene, no political force could fill the resulting gap. He said he would not re-involve in political processes, if he were convinced that the country was moving in the right direction, that the economy was growing and that the level of the well-being of people was on the rise.
"Unfortunately, we have a huge out-emigration, weak and ailing economy, constant increase in poverty, high unemployment and lack of confidence in the future. I can not remain indifferent to the fate of the people, especially in view of numerous daily requests and appeals to return to politics, " Tsarukyan said.
He said his ongoing charitable programs are a proof they are free from political overtones.
"However, despite the significant amounts of my charity, it can not solve all the problems facing the Armenian people. Instead of forming a society, waiting for charity, we must create necessary conditions for economic development and job creation. The 2017 elections will be crucial for the future of Armenia," said Tsarukyan.
The Prosperous Armenia party was created in 2004. In the current parliament it has the second largest faction. In 2015, Tsarukyan resigned as head of the party because of a conflict with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. The discord between Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Gagik Tsarukyan escalated in 2015 February.
Speaking on February 12 at a meeting of the executive board of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, President Sargsyan lashed out at his former coalition partner describing him as ‘a scourge for the country who lacks intelligence, skills and education to govern Armenia.’
Sargsyan told then Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan to instruct corresponding bodies to thoroughly investigate the veracity of “unverified reports” implicating Tsarukyan in large-scale tax evasion. In retaliation to Sargsyan’s crackdown, the leader of the Prosperous Armenia said the following day that the current situation in the country requires solution and 'the only solution is a complete change of power through extraordinary presidential elections.'
Gagik Tsarukyan said also he was offered the post of president of the country but only after constitutional reforms that would turn Armenia into a parliamentary republic. He claimed that the reform is aimed at enabling Sargsyan to stay in power after the end of his second and final presidential term in 2018. Tsarukyan said he declined the offer causing Sargsyan’s anger. -0-
