YEREVAN. – Armenia’s First President, opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC) Party Chairman, Levon Ter-Petrosyan did not run in the recent presidential election because of the lack of money. Gurgen Yeghiazaryan, a member of the opposition wing of the Social-Democratic Hnchakyan Party (SDHP), stated this during a press conference on Monday.    

To the remark that Ter-Petrosyan was pointing to his advanced age as to the reason for his not running in the vote, Yeghiazaryan responded that this was said for a few people that would believe in this, but the ANC leader also had stated, “[for] several other technical reasons.” 

“I am proud that we are dealing with a founding President who has not plundered our country,” Yeghiazaryan added. 

He noted that they did not have money during last year’s parliamentary election, too, and that is why it was held under bad conditions.  

“Under these conditions, should Levon Ter-Petrosyan have entered into the race without money?” the opposition politician asked.  

Gurgen Yeghiazaryan stressed that Levon Ter-Petrosyan is Armenia’s sole political figure that could change something in the country and, as per Yeghiazaryan, it is very bad that he is the only such person.

In his view, this situation will continue forever unless the people of Armenia come together and make a choice, and therefore the people should consolidate in the forthcoming Yerevan Council elections.   

Gurgen Yeghiazaryan said the first thing to do is to be rid of the current authorities, conduct a new election, and if President Serzh Sargsyan were to be reelected, he should leave politics and apologize to the people.