YEREVAN. – The majority of Armenian presidential nominees lack political capital, ruling Republican Party (RPA) MP Hovhannes Sahakyan told news reporters. 

“People that are worthy of respect will run in the [forthcoming presidential] elections. [Opposition Heritage Party Chairman, and former FM] Raffi Hovannisian, [opposition Freedom Party Chairman, former PM] Hrant Bagratyan, and [opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman] Paruyr Hayrikyan have some track-record, [a] political capital. [But] I cannot say the same about the other nominees,” Sahakyan stated. 

He added that this assessment of his is nothing personal, but rather purely political. 

“Along with the incumbent president [and RPA leader Serzh Sargsyan], solely these three politicians can be distinguished in the ratings,” he said, and added: 

“But the factors for the image of a candidate depend on the given political forces, and not on the Republican Party of Armenia. We know about several potential nominees’ decision to not run [in the voting], but RPA should not be blamed for this.”    

To note, the presidential elections in Armenia will be conducted on February 18, and eight candidates will run for the top post.  

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am