YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: A phase of active realignments has begun in the political field of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)].

Both the former leaders, the generals, as well as Armenia’s authorities and the so-called Soros wing are showing interest.

The search phase for the future president has begun [in Artsakh]. Some circles see [in this office] the current Secretary of the Security Council, Vitaly Balasanyan, but the latter does not give a clear answer, on the contrary, he says that he sees himself in the position he holds today.

The other candidate is Levon Mnatsakanyan (…), a former commander of the AR [(Artsakh Republic)] Defense Army, who is the [presidential] candidate of the generals. It is said that [Artsakh President] Arayik Harutyunyan has pledged to support this wing.

However, they said that a few days later, in a close circle, he said that Azerbaijan would impose—through Russia—a ban that the next [Artsakh] president not be a person who passed through the Karabakh movement.

Those in Artsakh believe that Arayik Harutyunyan's decision to leave [politics] is not actually final, and he will probably split and attempt to provoke unrest so that no alternative to his [presidential] candidacy be noted.