YEREVAN. – Depending on the talks between the ruling Republican Party of Armenia and the opposition Heritage Party, it will become clear as to whether the Prosperous Armenia Party will return to its status as the country’s second leading country, or Heritage will attempt to run—with this status—in the capital city Yerevan Council election, which is slated for May 5. Caucasus Institute Deputy Director, political analyst Sergey Minasyan told this to Armenian News-NEWS.am.     

Reflecting on the recent proposition by Heritage’s chairman, 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—, Minasyan noted that this proposition was quite bold, but it might be assessed dubiously by his constituents.     

“On the one hand, it is understandable that the authorities will have a unique opportunity to have Raffi Hovannisian at their side on April 9, during the presidential inauguration. [But] on the other hand, the terms which Raffi Hovannisian has set forth cannot be carried out in full because there are power structures, security service chiefs, etc. which traditionally are appointed in Armenia by the President,” the analyst noted, and stressed that Sargsyan will not make concessions in this matter.   

Minasyan also did not rule out that the serving President could make a counter proposal to Hovannisian; specifically, the ruling party could increase the list of the portfolios.       

“But in the case of the FM, National Security Service, or the Prosecutor General, I think bargaining is inappropriate,” Sergey Minasyan stressed.