IT makes no sense to join ruling coalition, deputy leader of Armenian Heritage party says

YEREVAN, February 22. /ARKA/. Heritage party’s joining the governing coalition makes no sense as no reforms can be implemented with the current parliament, deputy head of Heritage opposition party Armen Martirossian said.

“It is obvious, this parliament is not able to implement any reforms”, Martirossian said in commenting the allegations that Heritage will join the ruling coalition.

Friday “Hraparak” (Square) newspaper said that Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan suggested his main opposition challenger in the February 18 presidential election, leader of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian three possible scenarios of further developments – the first, creating a new pole of opposition and continuing political struggle in a civilized manner, the second, switching over to radical steps and expecting similar actions from the authorities, and the third, cooperating with the ruling Republican Party of Armenia.

Zhoghovurd (People) newspaper, referring to its sources, said that Sargsyan offered Hovannisian to accept the program proposed by the current government and to enter the coalition.

Martirosyan also said that entering the coalition, with no opportunity of implementing reforms, will mean a political suicide.

The deputy head of Heritage also stressed the party believes their candidate won the election and they are confident they will manage to achieve recognition and peaceful transfer of power.

According to the preliminary ballot results, Armenia’s incumbent president Sezrh Sargsyan won re-election with 861,378 votes or 58.64% Monday. His main challenger and official runner-up Raffi Hovannisian who polled 36.74% or 539,674 votes disputes the official outcome of the election. Hovannisian had a meeting with the official president-elect Sargsyan Thursday (no reporters were allowed to the meeting). Hovannisian is expected to present the outcome of his meeting with Sargsyan at today’s meeting permitted by Mayor’s office. –0--