YEREVAN. – Had Prosperous Armenia Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan decided to run in February’s presidential lections, there could have been an altogether different picture in the country, Caucasus Institute Director, political scientist Alexander Iskandaryan said during a press conference on Monday.   

“The outcome of parliamentary elections somewhat determine that of presidential [elections]. The parliamentary elections changed the political arena of the country. The majority of the political forces are represented at the National Assembly for the first time. The politics in Armenia has moved from the streets to the parliament. The roles of the key political players have changed. In general, results of the presidential elections are predestined,” the analyst noted.     

As per Iskandaryan, the current political arena of Armenia lacks serious presidential candidates that are capable of competing against incumbent President, and ruling party candidate, Serzh Sargsyan in the forthcoming elections. 

“[But] The key task for the ruling party and candidate Serzh Sargsyan is to make sure that they do not receive 88 percent [of the votes]. They need to ensure proper elections for [receiving] the positive evaluation by international observers,” Alexander Iskandaryan stressed.  

The political scientist added that it is possible for all the players to accept the final results of the forthcoming presidential elections in Armenia.