Hraparak daily of Armenia writes as follows, in particular: After the June 7 [parliamentary] elections, the number one matter on the agenda [for the opposition forces that have won parliamentary seats] continues to be the matter of whether to take the [parliamentary] mandates or not.

It is true, yesterday Narek Karapetyan [who headed the Strong Armenia bloc’s electoral list in the elections] announced that today they will appeal to the CEC [i.e. the Central Electoral Commission of Armenia] with a requirement to cancel the elections, but there are rumors that the Strong Armenia, led by [businessman and Narek Karapetyan’s uncle] Samvel Karapetyan, is in favor of taking the [parliamentary] mandates, especially if the PAP [i.e. the Prosperous Armenia Party, led by tycoon Gagik Tsarukyan] passes into parliament as a result of the recount [of the votes].

They told us that until yesterday evening, the future [Strong Armenia parliamentary] faction had not had a discussion with Samvel Karapetyan on this matter. They said that in general, after the elections, the future [Strong Armenia] MPs have not yet met with Karapetyan, with the exception of Narek Karapetyan and a few persons.

The MP candidates are in favor of going to parliament, but [Samvel] Karapetyan’s point of view [on the matter] is not yet known. [Ex-President] Robert Kocharyan’s “Armenia” bloc is also inclined to take advantage of the weak positions of the illegitimate authorities by taking the [parliamentary] mandates.

The argument [in that regard] is that at some point there may be an opportunity to express no confidence in [PM] Nikol Pashinyan. In addition, not taking a mandate is not a solution, and this is clearly seen in the example of Georgia, where the opposition, with strong support from

Europe, did not take the mandates, but this had no impact on the ruling party and the government. Nevertheless, the final and joint decision will be made jointly by the two factions, the Strong Armenia and the “Armenia” blocs.