There are two reasons for violations of democratic standards in Armenia. First, elections have never been held in Armenia in conformity with international legal standards. Secondly, Armenia’s institutions are very weak – even if they do exist at all, Armen Rustamyan, an Executive Board member, Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), told journalists December 8.

“Plutocracy has strengthened its positions, using democracy as a cover,” he said.

Rustamyan pointed out a serious threat of social crisis in Armenia. “It will certainly break out some day. Legally, we have a situation, when, besides the de jure order, there exists a different order, with unwritten laws and corrupt practices, with nothing done to improve the situation,” Rustamyan said.

“The country has been divided before our eyes. On the one hand, it is a minority-owned State, with a privileged class adopting and violating laws. On the other hand, it is a state of abandoned majority,” Rustamyan said. He pointed out the existence of a vicious state-power-party conglomerate. Interpenetration of government and business resulted in monopolies, alienation from the authorities and emigration, he said.