YEREVAN. – The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party—which is the junior partner of the coalition government—continues to urge, by all possible arguments, that President Serzh Sargsyan oppose opposition Prosperous Armenia Party former Chairman, tycoon, and MP Gagik Tsarukyan’s return to politics, according to Zhamanak newspaper.

“They [i.e. the ARF] are sure that, in the [forthcoming] NA [i.e. National Assembly] elections, the latter [i.e. Tsarukyan] will completely take the votes of the socially vulnerable and apolitical segment of the people [in Armenia]. 

“In the meantime, according to our information, in the last meeting with [ARF representatives] Armen Rustamyan and Hrant Markarian, Serzh Sargsyan said he does not plan on holding back Tsarukyan from the thought of returning [to politics]. Furthermore, he is increasing their leverage, and all they need to do is to work and ensure the minimum passing votes [in the upcoming NA election],” wrote Zhamanak.