YEREVAN. – Standing before his supporters at Liberty Square, Raffi Hovannisian unveiled what he called “the authorities’ last chance” to meet the people half way and to create together a New Armenia, says the statement issued by Heritage party. The statement reads:

"The document, which was read aloud then sent to the presidential office, gave voice to two possibilities: 1) the immediate conduct of new presidential elections, or 2) a comprehensive power-sharing deal between the people and their de facto authorities.

“The time for change has come,” Hovannisian proclaimed. “Either the authorities will change their attitude toward the people, or the people will rise to change their authorities once and for all. One way or the other, on April 9, we shall have our New Armenia.”

Standing behind Hovannisian as he spoke were his parents Richard and Vartiter, and daughter Shushi. They were joined by representatives of major political forces, civic activists, intellectuals, and freedom fighters.

“Today I command my men,” declared Samvel Aslanyan, the commander of the Shatakh brigade, which fought victoriously for the liberation of Artsakh. “I address all those who swore to defend the Armenian people—to come now and stand with the Armenian people, who have come to struggle and to triumph here at Liberty Square.”

Earlier in the day, Hovannisian had received Archbishop Yeznik and Archbishop Artak of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin—who came at the behest of His Holiness Garegin II—as well as United States Ambassador John Heffern and his wife Libby.

The document presented by Raffi K. Hovannisian:

A) The immediate conduct of new presidential elections or

B) The sharing of power between the authorities and the people

1. The conduct, by the end of the year, of snap parliamentary elections. The implementation, before then, of revisions in the Election Code—to eliminate the majoritarian electoral system and to realize a transition to a completely proportional system; to allow for the publication of lists of citizens who actually voted; to reinstate the political-party principle in the formation of the Central Election Commission and district election commissions; to secure the participation of citizens living abroad or to ensure the removal of their names from the voter lists.

2. The removal of at least five regional governors, to be replaced by candidates proposed by Raffi K. Hovannisian.

3. The removal of all city and village mayors who violated the law and their own authority in falsification of the outcome of the February 18 elections.

4. The prosecution of all election falsifiers, including governors, mayors, party organizers, and other officials.

5. The appointment of candidates proposed by Raffi K. Hovannisian to head the following ministries and government offices:

            a. Prosecutor General

            b. Tax and Customs

            c. National Security

            d. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

            e. Education and Science

            f. Oversight Chamber

            g. Justice Council

            h. Anti-Corruption Commission

This contract is indivisible and is subject to bilateral signature. Its provisions shall remain in force until the conclusion of the snap parliamentary elections."

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am