Prosperous Armenia Party regards forming coalition as irrational

YEREVAN, May 24. /ARKA/. Prosperous Armenia Party doesn’t find it rational to form a coalition government, according to the statement released by the leader Gagik Tsarukyan on the Party’s official website. 

“According to the result of the election, Prosperous Armenia has no constitutional opportunity to form a government and fulfill its programs. That is why, now I officially declare that Prosperous Armenia Party does not regard it rational to participate in assembling a coalition government,” the statement says. 

Tsarukyan noted that the 6th convention of his Party and all the declarations made by its members were targeted at bringing change to the country and the nation’s life. 

“We have had the same point of view also during the whole election campaign. Prosperous Armenia has presented a complete program to the people. I have declared at my all speeches that I have no personal interest while entering the politics. Moreover, I have announced that I am ready to lose but I will saintly preserve the trust of the nation,” he said. 

According to him, Prosperous Armenia Party received nearly half million votes at the parliamentary elections. These people have voted for the Prosperous Armenia as “they trust us and now will claim real changes in the social- economical life.”

“Prosperous Armenia will continue playing an important part in the political life of our country. We will have constructive and balancing role and participation in Armenian social-political life,” the statement says. 

Tsarukyan also added that the Party will be very active in the National Assembly, always staying beside the nation and protecting the rights of the citizens. 

He wished success and effective performance to the new government of Armenia. 

Prosperous Armenia, a moderate centrist liberal-leaning party, was established in April 2004 by Gagik Tsarukyan, parliament deputy, Head of National Olympic Committee of Armenia, president of Multi Group concern. In the incumbent government the Party is represented by four ministers, and the Deputy Speaker.

On May 6 elections the Prosperous Armenia Party received 30,12% of votes (454, 673 votes) and 37 seats (28 under proportional, and 9- majoritarian vote) in 131-seat parliament

The Republican Party of Armenia won the majority of votes, receiving 44.02% (664, 440 votes). The third place was given to opposition block Armenian National Congress- 7.08% (106, 903).

Five-percent barrier was overcome by oppositional Heritage (5.76% or 86, 998 votes) and Dashnaktsutyun (5.67% or 85, 550) as well as coalition Otinats Yerkir – 5.51% or 83, 123 votes. 

The election outsiders are Communist Party of Armenia (1.5% or 15, 899 votes), Democratic Party (0.37% or 5,577) and United Armenians (0.20% or 2,945). 

The Republican Party of Armenia received the majority of votes resulting in getting 69 seats in the parliament ( 40 under proportional, and 29 under majoritarian vote). Armenian National Congress received 7 seats. Dashnaktsutyun, Orinats Yerkir and Heritage- five each under the proportional system. However, the first two parties have one deputy mandate each, received under popular vote system. 

Armenia's Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has registered eight political parties and one electoral bloc for the May 6 parliamentary elections.

In compliance with the Electoral Code of Armenia parties should gain at least 5% of votes and a bloc- 7% to receive seats in the parliament.

According to the latest data provided by the Central Electoral Commission 1 573 053 out of 2 523 101 constituents participated in polls on May 6.

The Republican Party of Armenia was registered in 1991. Its chairman is president Serzh Sargsyan. The party has a prime-minister and seven ministers in the government. The speaker of the National Assembly and one of the deputy speakers are also members of the ruling party.

Armenian National Congress was established in August, 2008 by Levon Ter-Petrosyan, the first president of Armenia. It consists of 18 political parties and organizations. The post-election situation in the republic in March of 2008, when Ter-Petrosyan failed the president elections yielding to the incumbent Serzh Sargsyan prompted the opposition to establish the Congress. Since then the Congress has organized a number of protests calling upon the authorities in power to quit their positions. On March 1-2 the rally turned into clashes between the protesters and the police causing 10 deaths, 200 people were injured. 

Armenian Revolution Federation Dashnaktsutyun is one of the oldest Armenian political parties that was established in 1890 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Being patriotically- oriented the Party took an active part in national liberation struggle of the Armenian nation in Ottoman Empire. It was ruling throughout the First World War ( 1918-1920) as well as participated in Karabakh movement at the end of the XX century.

Heritage Party, liberal-democratic political force, was founded in 2002 by former Armenian Foreign Minister Raffi Hovhannisyan . The Party has close ties with the Diaspora and is regarded as pro-western orientated. 

Orinats Yerkir Party was launched in 1997 by the current Secretary of National Security Council of Armenia Artur Baghdasaryan. It is represented by three ministers in the government. -0-