YEREVAN. – “And why should I not become president? Show me someone else who is smarter than me!” Opposition bloc Armenian National Congress member, Freedom Party Chairman, former PM, and presidential candidate Hrant Bagratyan stated this during a Facebook conference on Friday.  

“Yes, I believe that I will be elected [president as a result of the elections to be held on February 18],” he said. 

Also, he ruled out the possibility of withdrawing his nomination during the campaign season and boycotting the elections.

“What should we boycott? Why will we boycott? This would be a gift to the authorities,” Bagratyan stated.  

He added that if the elections were to be rigged, he will be ready to fight for justice. And if he becomes president, he promises not to sign any contract, law, or agreement that will reduce Armenia’s sovereignty.    

Bagratyan noted that if he were to be elected president, he will include in the public administration system representatives from all political forces, and there will be numerous 20-30-year-olds in this system. The former PM informed that he sees good youth even in the ruling Republican Party.

As for holding debates—or collaborating—with other presidential hopefuls, Hrant Bagratyan noted that he has but one condition: they need to present an economic program, and not a string of wishes and slogans. 

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am