The four main parliamentary parties challenging President Serzh Sarkisian reportedly agreed over the weekend to continue their joint political activities after the formation of a new Armenian government.
Their top representatives met for fresh talks on the future of their increased cooperation widely linked with last month’s resignation of Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian and his cabinet. Levon Zurabian, the parliamentary leader of one of those parties, the Armenian National Congress (HAK), said afterwards that they will come up with a new common agenda and “demands” within a week.
“The quartet decided to lead the people during the process of implementing that political agenda. Namely, we decided to hold a rally,” Zurabian told journalists. He said the HAK as well as the Prosperous Armenia (BHK), Dashnaktsutyun and Zharangutyun parties have yet to decide when it will take place.
Tigran Sarkisian stepped down just days after the four parties agreed to jointly seek a parliamentary vote of no confidence in the government and hold nonstop rallies in support of the motion. The subsequent formation of a new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian made those plans meaningless. The Armenian parliament is due to vote on the new cabinet later this month.
In Zurabian’s words, the four minority factions in the National Assembly have very close positions on the government’s policy program to be put to the parliament vote. None of them, including the BHK, is expected to back the program.
Abrahamian has close personal connections to BHK leader Gagik Tsarukian. Speaking to his Kentron TV channel on Friday, Tsarukian downplayed this fact and insisted that it will have no bearing on his party’s stance. But he implied that the BHK will not immediately challenge the new premier.
“The new government has been formed,” Tsarukian said. “I don’t know whether to give it 100 or 200 days. It’s a trial period. A trial period not only for the government but also many others and, if you like, everyone.”
Their top representatives met for fresh talks on the future of their increased cooperation widely linked with last month’s resignation of Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian and his cabinet. Levon Zurabian, the parliamentary leader of one of those parties, the Armenian National Congress (HAK), said afterwards that they will come up with a new common agenda and “demands” within a week.
“The quartet decided to lead the people during the process of implementing that political agenda. Namely, we decided to hold a rally,” Zurabian told journalists. He said the HAK as well as the Prosperous Armenia (BHK), Dashnaktsutyun and Zharangutyun parties have yet to decide when it will take place.
Tigran Sarkisian stepped down just days after the four parties agreed to jointly seek a parliamentary vote of no confidence in the government and hold nonstop rallies in support of the motion. The subsequent formation of a new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamian made those plans meaningless. The Armenian parliament is due to vote on the new cabinet later this month.
In Zurabian’s words, the four minority factions in the National Assembly have very close positions on the government’s policy program to be put to the parliament vote. None of them, including the BHK, is expected to back the program.
Abrahamian has close personal connections to BHK leader Gagik Tsarukian. Speaking to his Kentron TV channel on Friday, Tsarukian downplayed this fact and insisted that it will have no bearing on his party’s stance. But he implied that the BHK will not immediately challenge the new premier.
“The new government has been formed,” Tsarukian said. “I don’t know whether to give it 100 or 200 days. It’s a trial period. A trial period not only for the government but also many others and, if you like, everyone.”