YEREVAN. – The revolutionary spirit of the non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) disappeared in 24 hours, and it remains to be seen.
Opposition Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) Party (RLP) National Assembly Faction member Hovhannes Margaryan noted about the above-said at Friday’s parliament briefings.
But he asked not to draw a parallel between the present-day situation and that of the RLP back in 2006. At the time, party leader Arthur Baghdasaryan had stepped down as NA Speaker and, subsequently, dozens of influential RLP members—primarily businessmen—had quit the party.
“[But] we had fundamental differences with the authorities, and we have announced about it,” Margaryan added.
As reported earlier, speaking at the February 12 meeting of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (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 February 17, however, Serzh Sargsyan and Gagik Tsarukyan held a brokered talk, and on the next day, the PAP leader issued a milder statement. He also called off the rally that was slated for February 20.
