Senior member of ruling party praises embattled tycoon for choosing to diffuse tension

YEREVAN, February 23. / ARKA /. Vahram Baghdasaryan, a senior parliament member from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) has praised today the embattled leader of Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) Gagik Tsarukyan describing the latter’s decision to settle all the disputes through “peaceful, lawful and political means” as  ‘wise and prudent’ following several days of escalating tensions between BHK and HHK.

"Gagik Tsarukyan realized that guiding people towards shocks in this extremely difficult situation would be very imprudent. Euromaidan in Ukraine and other color revolutions did not occur by themselves- they were triggered by such imprudent steps," Baghdasaryan said.

Asked to comment on BHK’s decision to boycott the parliamentary session, Baghdasaryan said it is a common tactic.

The BHK decided today to boycott the four-day session of the parliament citing the latest political developments in the country. Faction secretary Naira Zohrabyan said the in a few days BHK will issue a statement with clear explanations and will present its next steps and strategy to the public and its partners. This session is very likely to start the process of stripping BHK leader of his parliamentary mandate because of “chronic absenteeism.” 

In a February 12 verbal attack on Tsarukyan president Sargsyan said he attended only four of the 145 meetings of the legislative body in 2013-2014, which is sufficient for being deprived of the seat. 

Speaking at that  meeting of the executive board of the Republican Party of Armenia President Sargsyan lashed out at Gagik Tsarukyan, his former coalition member,  describing him as ‘a scourge for the country who lacks intelligence, skills and education to govern Armenia.’ 

Sargsyan told 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, Tsarukyan 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. 

After a February 18 meeting between Sargsyan and Tsarukyan the latter’s party cited the “tense emotional state of society” to cancel a February 20 rally to demand the president’s resignation.

Prosperous Armenia is the second largest force in the parliament controlling now 31 seats. It was part of coalition governments from 2007 to 2012. According to some estimates, Tsarukyan is the third-richest person of Armenia. 

Some reports in the Armenian media claimed that today Tsarukyan may ask the ruling board of his party to relieve him as party chairman.-0-