YEREVAN. – Armenia’s President and ruling Republican Party (RPA) Chairman Serzh Sargsyan’s rating is so high that he will be elected and reelected President, RPA member and National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov stated during a press conference on Tuesday.    

“The main battle [in February’s presidential elections] will be for the second place because Serzh Sargsyan is the first favorite,” Sharmazanov said, and added that they know of but one view from Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) leader Gagik Tsarukyan and the PAP: It will support Serzh Sargsyan’s nomination in the 2013 presidential elections.    

Separately, the NA vice chairman reflected on PAP’s not taking part in the NA voting on the implementation of the 2011 State Budget, and noted: “That political force was one of the bearers of responsibility in 2011. But someone from that political team stated that if they take part, they will vote against the [Budget’s] implementation because it is ineffective.” [But] Sharmazanov said he is far from the opinion that this is PAP’s official view.  

Also, the news reporters recalled the statement made by former FM and PAP MP Vartan Oskanian—according to which the PAP should have its own presidential candidate and if the latter is not Tsarukyan, he stands ready to be that candidate—and asked whether or not the persecutions against Oskanian could get stronger. In response, Eduard Sharmazanov noted that Oskanian’s case is a legal matter and there is no persecution, and added that it unnecessary to give an assessment on the political wishes and objectives of a separate PAP figure.