“I am intent on winning,” he told journalists. “There are opinion polls testifying to [an HHK victory.] I believe in our people.”
When asked whether he thinks the HHK will clear a 40 percent vote threshold and thereby automatically gain a majority in the new city council, Beglarian said, “We’ll see on May 31.”
Beglarian, who tops the HHK’s list of candidates, has been dogged by opposition allegations of foul play throughout the mayoral race. The main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) has repeatedly accused the party led by President Serzh Sarkisian of illegally using his extensive government levers and planning other vote falsifications on polling day. The HHK has brushed aside the allegations.
Armenia -- The name and ballot number of the HHK emblazoned on the T-shirt of a boy playing football in a new playground inaugurated by Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglarian on May 27, 2009.Beglarian risked more controversy on Wednesday as he combined a campaign rally in central Yerevan with the inauguration of a children’s playground built with public funds in one of the local courtyards. The neighborhood is part of a largely blue-collar section of the city’s central Kentron district that has long been considered his stronghold.
Addressing several hundred people who gathered in the newly paved courtyard, Beglarian acknowledged “many shortcomings” committed in his previous capacity as elected head of the Kentron administration. But he blamed them on a lack of powers vested in municipal communities. In particular, he stressed that he had no control over recent years’ redevelopment projects in downtown Yerevan that were accompanied by forcible evictions of thousands of city residents.
“After May 31 all powers will be transferred to the city of Yerevan by means of your votes,” said Beglarian. “Then, dear people, you’ll see how many things will be done for all of you.”
“After May 31 we will work so hard, so well that the people will love and accept us more than anyone else,” he added.
Armenia -- Top candidates of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia hold a campaign rally in Yerevan on May 27, 2009.
When asked whether he thinks the HHK will clear a 40 percent vote threshold and thereby automatically gain a majority in the new city council, Beglarian said, “We’ll see on May 31.”
Beglarian, who tops the HHK’s list of candidates, has been dogged by opposition allegations of foul play throughout the mayoral race. The main opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) has repeatedly accused the party led by President Serzh Sarkisian of illegally using his extensive government levers and planning other vote falsifications on polling day. The HHK has brushed aside the allegations.
Addressing several hundred people who gathered in the newly paved courtyard, Beglarian acknowledged “many shortcomings” committed in his previous capacity as elected head of the Kentron administration. But he blamed them on a lack of powers vested in municipal communities. In particular, he stressed that he had no control over recent years’ redevelopment projects in downtown Yerevan that were accompanied by forcible evictions of thousands of city residents.
“After May 31 all powers will be transferred to the city of Yerevan by means of your votes,” said Beglarian. “Then, dear people, you’ll see how many things will be done for all of you.”
“After May 31 we will work so hard, so well that the people will love and accept us more than anyone else,” he added.
