“Anti-state figures who merely want to cover up what they have plundered”: Pa

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has commented on a statement by several opposition political forces announcing plans to unite and coordinate their efforts in a number of areas.

During a press briefing at the government headquarters, Pashinyan was asked whether he thought opposition unity could generate a public movement against the government that would ultimately bring about a change of power.

Pashinyan stressed that the people of Armenia, rather than he, should answer that question.

“I think that is a question for the people of the Republic of Armenia to answer. It is not addressed to me, and I am not the one who should answer it.

“Our position is very clear: we propose, and are pursuing, the further institutionalisation of peace, replacing two years of peace with decades and centuries of peace. You know, without exaggeration, the question you are asking could be asked every week because, as I have said before, ultimately, the people of the Republic of Armenia make the decisions. Whatever the people of the Republic of Armenia decide is what will happen, and I have no further comment on that.

“But I am saying something else: look, there is a case involving the misuse of AMD 65 billion or AMD 64 billion [referring to the criminal proceedings concerning alleged abuses at Electric Networks of Armenia, in which businessman Samvel Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia party, has been remanded in custody — ed.], and they come out and say, ‘Aliyev, Azerbaijan’. Whatever happens, they say, ‘Aliyev, Azerbaijan’.

“So, if our people go and vote in favour of a new Constitution, are they thinking about the political consequences of what they have said? This is also why I say these people are anti-state figures. Suppose the issue ultimately goes to a referendum and the people vote in favour. What will they do then? Will they once again direct at the people the insulting epithets they have used before? That is why I say these people are not only anti-government but also anti-state figures who merely want to cover up what they have plundered,” the Armenian Prime Minister said.

Commenting on the opposition meeting that preceded the unity statement, Pashinyan sarcastically remarked that one person had been missing whose presence would have greatly increased the group’s chances of success.

“Let me say that there is one component that I think would greatly increase this opposition grouping’s chances of success. I think one very important person was missing: I am referring to Ktrich Nersisyan. Had he been there too, the picture would have been complete. And I think this grouping could have brought about a revolution and a change of power in Armenia within just a few days. But it is still not too late. If, for example, they meet in this format this evening, I think there will already be a revolution by Sunday evening,” Pashinyan concluded.

Several political forces in Armenia’s opposition have announced a nationwide effort to unite despite their political differences. Following a meeting at Strong Armenia leader Samvel Karapetyan’s residence on the evening of 4 November, 13 political forces issued a joint statement outlining the main areas in which they intend to coordinate their efforts.

The opposition forces identified four priorities: “rejecting the imposition of an Aliyev-style constitution; peace without unilateral concessions or territorial losses; protecting national identity and the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church; and restoring democratic freedoms and rights”.

The signatories include Strong Armenia, the Armenia Alliance, Prosperous Armenia, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, the Republican Party of Armenia, the Armenian National Congress, the Hayakve initiative, Country to Live, Heritage, Democratic Alternative, New Era and other political forces.