YEREVAN. – The results of the council of elder’s elections in Gyumri and Vanadzor towns are still discussed in various formats within the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), according to Zhoghovurd newspaper.

“The RPA has serious problems in the upcoming NA [i.e. National Assembly] elections.

“The authorities’ lists received about 15 thousand votes, each, in Gyumri and Vanadzor. This is the case when in 2012, RPA mayoral candidate Samvel Darbinyan had received 21,300 votes in Vanadzor, and [recently reelected Mayor] Samvel Balasanyan, who enjoys the support of the ruling party, had received 27,500 votes in Gyumri. It was possible to achieve results in both towns with the use of power levers.

“To add, in Gyumri, many of those who voted for the Balasanyan Alliance, and even of the representatives of their headquarters, do not wish to hear the name of the RPA, and they were avoiding speaking on behalf of the RPA.

“So, in the NA elections, the RPA cannot have big expectations in Gyumri and Vanadzor,” wrote Zhoghovurd.