TIGRAN KARAPETYAN TO RUN FOR PRESIDENCY
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[03:21 pm] 18 May, 2007
"Force and money won at the May 12 elections," Tigran Karapetyan,
the leader of the People’s Party, stated May 18 at the Pastark club.
Though the People’s Party got 37 thousand votes instead of the
necessary 68 thousand, Tigran Karapetyan thinks it was a victory for
two reasons.
Firstly, the party got 17 thousand votes at the previous
election. Obviously, this is already progress. Secondly, some
opposition forces voted against the government, and vice versa,
"whereas as a force holding to center, the People’s Party got fair
votes."
Tigran Karapetyan believes that the participation is important, the
party must be engaged in the political life and processes. The PP
leader will be running in the 2008 presidential election "to secure
healthy atmosphere." He doesn’t exclude his withdrawal from the race
for the sake of other candidates.
Tigran Karapetyan is unlikely to appeal to the Constitutional Court
against the results. "People had a choice: to take or not to take
bribes. What is the use of challenging the election outcome? Briberies
turn election into business."
The PP leader thinks the parliament reflects the coalition of outside
forces. As a result, minor politics suffers and becomes the victim
of the major politics. "Stage of transition will linger and last for
another 15 years," he says.
The Locomotive Show on ALM, which included prize TV sets, will be
closed. Tigran Karapetyan stated that this is the will of people. "By
giving out TV sets without any expectations we wanted to boost the
self-esteem of people."
The People’s Party and ALM TV will be subjected to some changes due
to the outcome of the voting. After the election more and more people
wish to affiliate with the People’s Party, Tigran Karapetyan stated
and informed that the members who join the People’s Party after May
12 will get party badges of different color.