The historically shameful decision of the Central Electoral Commission, which deprived the “Prosperous Armenia” party of its well-earned seat in the National Assembly, has consequences that are much wider than the fate of one political force. The question is much more important. it turns out that the expression of the will of the citizens in today’s Armenia can be reviewed by an administrative decision after the elections.
If the citizen is not sure that his vote has a final effect on the result, the legitimacy of the entire political system is threatened. However, the problem is not only that.
Actually, not only one party is expelled from the parliament. The political alternative is pushed out in the issues of foreign policy, security and the future of Armenian statehood. We clearly record. This campaign against the PAP has nothing to do with Russia-West, the false opposition of the authorities. PAP has always advocated deepening of relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia and the West.
The current authorities have consistently tried to present the internal political election as a contrast between Russia and the West. However, for the society of Armenia, the issue was not limited to such a simplified formulation.
The real choice was about different models of security and development of the country.
“Prosperous Armenia” advocated a balanced foreign policy based on cooperation with key international actors. We were based on the conviction that Armenia should not become a platform for geopolitical conflict, but should be a state capable of building realistic and mutually beneficial relations in all directions, guided exclusively by national interests.
The idea of guaranteed peace by restoring the disturbed balance in the region is of particular importance.
The global Armenian Diaspora is also an important component of our approach. Millions of Armenians living in different countries should be a bridge between Armenia and the countries where they live. For this reason, attempts to present such a policy as an effort to become an “outpost” of any force do not stand up to serious analysis.
Another deep problem
Democracy is one of the most effective forms of government not only because it gives citizens the opportunity to choose the government. Its strength lies in the fact that security, justice and stability are ensured through the balance of branches of government and state institutions.
Where independent institutions exist, power is limited by law. Where there is political competition, the possibility of strategic mistakes decreases.
We see a worrying trend in today’s Armenia. the most important state decisions were concentrated within the framework of one political center. Parliament, judiciary and other institutions have lost their ability to be a real counterweight to the executive power. It is in such an environment that decisions are made that seemed impossible a few years ago.
A strong state is not built on the monopoly of one political force or the irreplaceability of one political course. An effective state is built on the competition of ideas, the existence of different approaches to security and development, and the ability of society to democratically correct the mistakes of the government.
That is why today’s issue is not only the results of today’s elections. The question is different. what will Armenia be like tomorrow?
A state where different political viewpoints have the right to be represented and participate in decision-making, or a state where the political system becomes more and more dependent on decisions taken from one center?
History shows that democracy does not weaken only at the moment when elections are formally abolished. It also weakens when democratic external procedures are maintained, but political balance, competition, and real limits on power gradually disappear.
That is why today it is not just about one party. It is about preserving the principles that ensure the stability of the Armenian statehood.
When the political alternative is pushed out of the parliament, it is not the opposition that loses. The system of checks and balances is failing. Democracy is losing. And in the end, the state loses. The CC has a unique chance to restore justice, and must realize the listed realities.
Former Foreign Minister of RA, founding member of the All-Armenian Council of Diplomats, Ara Ayvazyan
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