YEREVAN. – If the word is about the political figure who “wanted to become a conductor in the political arena,” the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has maintained its view about non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Chairman Gagik Tsarukyan.
The head of the RPA National Assembly (NA) Faction, Vahram Baghdasaryan, told about the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am. He stated this in response to the query on whether the republicans have changed their attitude toward Tsarukyan after his talk with President Serzh Sargsyan.
“[But] if we are speaking about the character in the political arena who doesn’t have the same ambitions, sway as an MP, or as a person, this is a totally different issue,” Baghdasaryan added.
The RPA NA Faction leader stressed that the earlier statements, which the RPA and the PAP had made against one another, are commonplace in politics. Nonetheless, as per the ruling party MP, the RPA stands ready to discuss matters with anyone.
“Naturally, there are no permanent friends and enemies in the political arena,” Vahram Baghdasaryan concluded.
As reported earlier, speaking at the February 12 meeting of the RPA Board, President Serzh Sargsyan, who is also chairman of the RPA Board, had stated that PAP Chairman, MP and oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan had become a vice for the country as a political player. He also relieved the PAP leader from his status as a National Security Council (NSC) member, and promised that a process will begin in connection with Tsarukyan’s frequent absence from the parliament sessions.
In response to President Sargsyan’s remarks, Gagik Tsarukyan issued a statement, on February 13, that the incumbent authorities must be removed from power immediately. Reflecting on Sargsyan having him removed from the NSC, the PAP leader noted that he had not left this council earlier solely because of the President’s personal request. As for the plans to strip him of his parliamentary mandate, Tsarukyan said the important thing for him is the trust of the Armenian citizens, and therefore he possesses the most important mandate. In addition, the Prosperous Armenia Party chairman urged to achieve Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation, but by way of lawful political methods.
On Tuesday, however, Serzh Sargsyan and Gagik Tsarukyan held a brokered talk, and on Wednesday, the PAP leader issued a statement. “(…). To solve the existing problems in Armenia, we need not wage war against each other, but work calmly, without insulting each other, show all existing shortcomings, find solutions and implement them (…). [But] I note with regret that, during the last few days, the processes in our country are going in a completely different course; this direction leads to no place good (…). We cannot continue like this (…). Not crossing the boundary of reason is the task of both the authorities and the opposition. All problems must be solved in a peaceful, lawful, [and] political way,” Gagik Tsarukyan’s statement specifically ran.
