YEREVAN. – In the recent times, a hunger strike has become one of the primary methods of political struggle in Armenia. Moreover, it is carried out publicly, and with wide media coverage, sociologist Aharon Adibekyan said during a press conference on Tuesday. 

“The methods of political struggle are an important component of the political culture of any people. A survey was conducted [in Armenia] in 2002 and in 2003, in line with which peaceful actions were in first place—with 30 percent—from among the measures to influence state officials,” the sociologist noted.   

As per Adibekyan, however, solely the head of state has a right to speak on behalf of the people; a political party leader cannot permit himself to do such thing.     

“If someone does [this], he misleads the people. If [Heritage Party leader, former FM] Raffi Hovannisian [who is declared runner-up to the winner, incumbent President Serzh Sargsyan, as a result of the presidential election that was conducted on February 18, but who claims to be the real winner in the vote and who declared a hunger strike on March 10 at capital city Yerevan’s Liberty Square] actually received a majority of the votes, the people should come out to the street and fight for their votes; the people should stage pickets, make revolution. But Armenians are not inclined toward [taking] drastic actions; the Armenian people are incapable of making revolution,” Aharon Adibekyan maintained.        

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am