Wounded Presidential Candidate Playing Authorities’ Game – Armenian

WOUNDED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PLAYING AUTHORITIES’ GAME – ARMENIAN WRITER

15:45 ~U 05.02.13

By his statement Paruir Hairikyan suggested he had no intention to
win the 2013 presidential election, the writer Vahram Martirosyan
told journalists on Tuesday.

“Recalling his brave activities in the Soviet times, he shattered
people’s confidence and is now, whether he likes it or not, playing
the authorities’ game” Mr Martirosyan said.

According to him, Mr Hairikyan’s decision was a strong blow on the
election process.

“That would be a big present to the three other candidates – a
fortnight to sum up the previous fortnight and think of further plans.

Since they come from ‘obscurity’, each day had effect on their
ratings,” Mr Martirosyan said.

According to him, the ratings of Hrant Bargaryan and Raffi Hovannisian
are getting higher.

The assassination attempt against Mr Hairikyan has not affected
Armenia’s international reputation. Such incidents may happen in
any country.

After the incident, Mr Hairikyan has “radically changed his campaign
language” given the fact that he was harshly critical of the current
situation on Monday.