Expert: opposition’s protest marches useless without external support

PanARMENIAN.Net - An expert in political and electoral technologies Armen Badalyan believes protest marches won’t help Armenian opposition struggle with the authorities.

Though people might have voted against current authorities, opposition forces won’t be able to make a stand for their votes without external support, the expert said.

To prove his point, he cited opposition victories during Arab Spring or Orange Revolutions in CIS (Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Kirghizia) achieved through external support.

Also, according to the expert, international observers’ statements on May 6 parliamentary elections in Armenia should be viewed in the context of European politics. “The West expects Armenia to ratify Protocols with Turkey and promote Karabakh conflict settlement based on Madrid Principles. Based on this viewpoint, the West will benefit from Armenian parliament where the ruling authorities have a majority of seats,” he said.