Karapetyan warns against blocking Strong Armenia party

PanARMENIAN.Net - Refusing to register the Strong Armenia party would amount to canceling democracy, said Narek Karapetyan, a member of the party’s political council, commenting on speculation that the ruling authorities might block the party from participating in elections.

He added that participation in elections should not depend on someone’s permission but is guaranteed by Armenia’s Constitution, Aysor.am reports.

“In that case, they should simply abolish democracy altogether and gather in a small group to decide who will rule, or how many times the same person will remain prime minister. If democracy means something basic for them, they will not take such a step, because in Armenia’s history there has never been a period when the main opposition force was not allowed to participate in elections,” Karapetyan said.

According to him, such a decision could have serious consequences for Armenia.

“Armenia will remain stuck in the same cycle, in the cycle of 2021. Our country needs new leaders to get out of this situation. We are offering programs to change the country, not simply to replace faces. If these changes had been implemented, there would be no need for us. Today there is a demand for change, and society demands new leadership. Let the people decide instead of a small group deciding on behalf of hundreds of thousands of citizens,” he said.

Earlier, on March 5, Aram Sargsyan, leader of the Republic Party, said he was demanding that Samvel Karapetyan’s party not be registered, claiming it is a “Russian” party.