YEREVAN. – The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) becomes controllable by way of Hovik Abrahamyan’s appointment as Prime Minister, Politologists’ Union of Armenia Chairman Hmayak Hovhannisyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Hovhannisyan added that this was a very meaningful step by President Serzh Sargsyan, “in a situation when there is a problem of ensuring the parliament’s controllability, the domestic political stability, [and] when it is clear that [ex-PM] Tigran Sargsyan’s face must be saved.”  

“Sadly, the kinship ties in Armenia have become just as influential in politics as in everyday life. On the other hand, the financial capacity factor likewise has become extremely influential [in the country],” the political scientist said hinting to the in-law relationship between Abrahamyan and non-pro-government PAP Chairman, oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan.

On the other hand, as per Hovhannisyan, the matter of overseeing PAP is highlighted also by the fact that PAP, in turn, oversees the political demeanor of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC).

“When PAP refused to run in the [last ] presidential elections, ANC likewise did the same. It seems ANC takes its steps by following PAP’s steps. The Congress seems to have become PAP’s junior partner,” Hmayak Hovhannisyan stressed.