YEREVAN. – The grave tactical mistake of Armenia’s opposition Heritage Party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian—who became the runner-up to the winner, incumbent President Sargsyan, in Monday’s presidential election, but he claims to be the real winner in the vote—was that he met with Sargsyan on Thursday without the presence of the members of the media, and behind closed doors, Marxist Party of Armenia leader Davit Hakobyan stated during a press conference on Friday.

“The talk should have been open before the people, the world audience, so that we could have seen what kind of discussions were being held,” Hakobyan said.  

As per the politician, President Sargsyan has two options at present.

“First, is to cooperate with Raffi Hovannisian and to offer him either the PM’s or the National Assembly Speaker’s position. Second, Serzh Sargsyan could declare a new presidential election but not run for office [himself], and [, instead,] play the role of the arbitrator,” Hakobyan stated.   

The head of the Marxist party added that he voted for Serzh Sargsyan because he had urged him that today it is better to change power from above than from below.      

“I am saying from above so that Sargsyan may get rid of his criminal bunch. Subsequently, he may form his entourage with ideological brains,” Davit Hakobyan concluded.