YEREVAN. – Armenia’s presidential voting—which will be conducted on February 18—will be competitive, but it is altogether another issue as to which candidates this contest will be among. Caucasus Institute Director, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan stated this during a press conference on Thursday.  

“[But] this contest certainly does not refer to Armenia’s incumbent President [and ruling Republican Party’s presidential candidate] Serzh Sargsyan, and the remaining contenders are competing with one another because nothing comes to an end with presidential elections,” Iskandaryan noted.  

In his words, aside from the serving president, opposition Heritage Party Chairman—and former FM—Raffi Hovannisian, opposition Freedom Party Chairman—and former PM—Hrant Bagratyan, and opposition National Self-Determination Union Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan are considered to be the other main players in the forthcoming presidential election in Armenia.