METSAMOR. – Harboring great respect toward foreign partners, an Armenian leader should put the interests of his people above everything. Opposition Heritage Party Chairman Raffi Hovannisian—who is declared runner-up to the winner, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of the presidential election on February 18, but who claims to be the real winner in the vote—stated this during his meeting with the voters in Metsamor city, Armenian News-NEWS.am reporter informs. 

He congratulated the Metsamor residents on their triumph. As per Hovannisian, even though, and in line with official data, he and Sargsyan each received 48 percent of the votes in the city, everyone understands that the power of the people is returning to Metsamor. 

As per the ex-presidential candidate, many of the world’s most powerful countries are attempting to comprehend how the residents of Armenia were able to achieve the triumph of the people.  

“Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom I respect very much, [and] US Secretary of State John Kerry sent their congratulations to Yerevan in haste. But I said this also during the talk with the Russian ambassador. Neither Putin nor Kerry nor [European Commission President José Manuel] Barroso should act in such way that the rights of the residents of Metsamor, Armavir [Region], [and] Armenia are violated. Let no one give me lessons on American, Western, Russian democracy! I serve my people,” Raffi Hovannisian added.