YEREVAN. – Not being on the electoral list does not mean not running in the elections. Third President and former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) chairman Serzh Sargsyan said this to reporters after Saturday’s signing of the memorandum on the formation of the "I Have Honor" bloc—comprising the RPA and the opposition Homeland Party—for the snap parliamentary elections on June 20, when asked why he will not run in these elections.

"Why am I not at the top of the list? Because political science says the basic truth about this: those who head the electoral lists aspire to have high state positions. But I have already announced that I will no longer hold high state positions. I consider that I have finished my service in high state positions of Armenia and the Armenian people. I will only help with advice—if it is needed," Sargsyan added.