I Have No Personal Issues with Anyone, Particularly with Pashinyan: Vitaly Balasanyan

Whispers are circulating in Artsakh and Armenia, suggesting that if Vitaly Balasanyan is elected as the President of Artsakh, he would adopt a hard stance against the Armenian government and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. This statement was made today by Artsakh Hero General Vitaly Balasanyan during the extraordinary congress of the 'Justice' party in Artsakh.

“Of course, there are differences of opinion, but I have no personal issues with any individual, especially with Nikol Pashinyan. We have known each other for about 25 years. I oppose his policies; I assess the phenomena,” Balasanyan stated.

He also addressed comments suggesting that Artsakh is a province of Armenia: “I have always insisted and continue to maintain that Artsakh is not a province. Yes, I have said that those who attempt... should not set foot on Artsakh territory. We have 12,000 square kilometers of territory in Artsakh, of which over 90 percent is the achievement of the Artsakh Armenian population, while the remaining 10 percent involves our compatriots' participation.”

Balasanyan also touched upon the secrecy of elections, asserting, “We must not allow anyone to feel constrained. Why should my wife know whom I am going to vote for or whom I voted for, so that she tells her sister, and her sister informs someone in the presidential office? Yet, there are people who declare a year in advance whom they will vote for. Do not announce it loudly, so you won’t be persecuted by anyone.”