YEREVAN. – The rumors, with respect to forming a “national consensus government” in Armenia, have become more active recently at the governmental backstage, Hraparak daily reports.     

“According to which, [the ruling Republican Party (RPA) presidential candidate, incumbent President] Serzh Sargsyan will form, after the [presidential] election [on February 18], a government that will also include [other presidential] candidates that received great number of votes. Specifically, it is planned to offer [opposition Heritage Party Chairman, former FM] Raffi Hovannisian the FM’s post, and that of the economy minister, to [opposition Freedom Party Chairman, former PM] Hrant Bagratyan.    

“Absurd. Such thing is impossible!” an informed government source reacted in response to this. 

The thing is that the [Prosperous Armenia Party] PAP, and not the presidential contenders, will be included in the ‘consensus government.’  

The RPA’s well-known wing led by [National Assembly Speaker] Hovik Abrahamyan is attempting to resolve the matter of including the PAP—which is not taking part in the election—in the future government. Thus, an attempt is also made to prevent the PAP’s collapse,” Hraparak writes.