YEREVAN. – Hraparak daily of the Republic of Armenia (RA) writes: An active phase of political rearrangements has begun in Artsakh. A few days ago, incumbent President Arayik Harutyunyan expressed readiness to leave [office], and the political arena has begun to prepare for the election process expected next year. (…) the former presidents and the general have started political consultations; they are also preparing.

We learned from our sources in Artsakh that the choice of the opposition arena, the generals, and the former government circles on the matter of the presidential candidate has stopped at this moment on former Minister of Defense Lyova Mnatsakanyan (…). They told us that it was not easy to persuade him, as everyone understands well that it is necessary to be a ‘kamikaze’ to run for that office at this time.

Of the post-war social and humanitarian issues, the issues of the peacekeepers, the status of Artsakh are more important. They say [incumbent Artsakh President] Arayik Harutyunyan himself realizes that someone who strongly opposes the RA authorities’ course is needed, whereas he is not able to do that.