YEREVAN. – Armenia’s presidential candidates, namely, National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan and Freedom Party leader, former PM Hrant Bagratyan, will be worthy opponents for serving President Serzh Sargsyan and myself alike. Opposition Heritage Party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian stated this during a press conference on Tuesday.     

“An electoral revolution has to take place in Armenia on February 18, by way of which the people will break the [present-day] authority, power, tax, [and] customs system. I respect all participants, specifically Paruyr Hayrikyan and Hrant Bagratyan. The easiest thing is to sit at home, but they decided to run [for president],” he said.    

In Hovannisian’s conviction, the talk about non-competitive elections and their results being already determined is bogus.    

“No matter what, he who stays at home takes part in the triumph of civic, political obedience and, by not participating [in the election], wants to secure the reproduction of these authorities; this must be ruled out,” the presidential candidate said calling upon everyone to take part in the forthcoming presidential elections.      

Also, the Heritage leader is confident that “the Armenias of Serzh [Sargsyan] and Raffi [Hovannisian] will battle it out” come February 18.