Candidate Aram Harutyunyan to leave presidential race

February 6, 2013 - 18:04 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian presidential hopeful Aram Harutyunyan has announced a decision to go on hunger strike for a day and further withdraw candidacy on Feb 8.

“I will continue political activity following Feb 18 presidential vote. Those to remain on the ballot will have nothing to say following the polls,” the candidate told Feb 6 press conference.

He further dubbed the remaining candidates as mere “decorations”, adding that they will leave the political field after the elections.

“I would have submitted my program that would differ from those of the rest of the candidates if I truly aimed to be elected,” the candidate said, adding that he sought to help the voters face the truth.

8 candidates run for the post of Armenian president: Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan, Heritage party chairman Raffi Hovannissian, leader of Freedom party, former prime minister Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan, National Self-Determination Union party head Paruyr Hayrikyan, Radio Hay director Andreas Ghukasyan, literature expert Vardan Sedrakyan and National Conciliation Party leader Aram Harutyunyan.