Oppositional ANC leader labels Armenia’s presidential elections as feast in time of plague

YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. The first president of Armenia, leader of oppositional Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Ter-Petrosyan said in the interview with “Chorrord Ishkhanutyun” ( The Fourth Branch of Power) newspaper that presidential elections in Armenia resemble  a feast in time of plague.  

“Today’s election campaign appears more like a feast in time of plague to me rather than something else,” he said.

Ter-Petrosyan stated the biggest misfortune of the elections is that everyone knows the outcome, and “the nightmarish consequences are obvious”

“During the first term of Serzh Sargsyan annually 50,000 people were migrating from our country, and during the second term the migration will reach 100,000 people,” Ter-Petrosyan said and added that if this process continues Armenia will face a demographic catastrophe and a threat to lose its statehood. 

ANC leader clarified that due to the  sharp shrink of population, the country may lose its defensive capacity in 10-20 years… and for self-preservation, initiated by its own authorities, it will renounce independence  and as a federation subject or an associate member will voluntarily become a part of Russia.

The mass migration in Armenia is mainly caused by overall corruption, loot of the country and the nation, he explained.

Ter-Petrosyan also said it is not geographical location, natural resources, good or bad government, national mentality or culture, but state institutions which make prosperous countries different from poor ones. Developed institutions should be interested in boosting economy, fostering the union of all constructive forces, which is not possible when there is no democracy, rule of law, free competition and guarantee of inviolability of property, according to him. 

Presidential elections of Armenia are scheduled for February 18. 

The following candidates will be leading the race:  current president Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister and leader of Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister and head of Heritage party Raffi Hovannisian, famous Soviet dissident and leader of National Self-Determination party Paruyr Hayrikyan, former  foreign minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Arman Melikyan, political scientist and head of Radio Hay Andrias Ghukasyan, philologist Vardan Sedrakyan. -0-