YEREVAN. – The presidential election in Armenia will not be too competitive, Regional Studies Center Director, political analyst Richard Giragosian said during a press conference on Monday.

“[But] it’s not [presidential candidate, incumbent President, and ruling Republican Party leader] Serzh Sargsyan’s fault that he does not have a real and a strong challenger [in the voting to be held on February 18]. The [political] opposition remains disunited; [and] we see a competition of individuals, and not of political courses,” Giragosian noted.   

As per the analyst, the little public participation in the election and the holding of free and fair elections will be the most serious challenges facing Armenia’s authorities.   

“The elections will be a test but, also, an opportunity for Serzh Sargsyan. He could form a political, a personal legacy,” Giragosian stated.

Richard Giragosian added that the other presidential candidates can be considered as a disappointing group of old faces.