December 19, 2011 - 13:45 AMT
Expert: ANC-coalition dialogue altered Armenia's political reality

The outgoing year was very interesting, specifically in Armenia's domestic policy sector, the Caucasus Institute director said.

At news conference in Yerevan, Alexander Iskandaryan pointed out the political dialogue between Armenian National Congress (ANC) opposition bloc and the ruling coalition among the most interesting events in 2011. “The opposition-coalition dialogue altered the political reality in Armenia,” the expert remarked.

Among notable events the expert indicated recent shifts in Armenia's presidential staff, which, he said, was an attempt to isolate oligarchs from political and staff- related decision-making.

As Iskandaryan explained, the processes described are closely linked to oncoming elections, with the political year in the country to end after the electoral race. However, the expert did not rule out for traditional opposition protests to follow the elections.