April 30, 2007 - 17:41 AMT
Ex-ruling Armenian party quits parliamentary race
The Armenian National Movement (ANM), the ruling party in Armenia in 1990-1998, dropped out of the race for May 12 parliamentary elections. The party's statement says 'the decision proceeded from the political situation in the republic.' The party leaders are convinced that unconsolidated participation of the opposition in the election makes change of power impossible.

ANM said winning seats in the parliament is not an end in itself. "The party quits the race in order to consolidate the opposition electorate," the statement says.

"The ANM calls on its supporters to vote for a political force that highlights change of power, liberalism, democracy and real politics," it says, Novosti Armenia reports.