Lena Nazaryan Discusses Campaign Against Prime Minister's Family

Minutes ago, the Prime Minister's meeting with the members of the 'My Step' parliamentary faction ended. This was reported by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lena Nazaryan on her Facebook page.

She specifically noted: “The important highlights of the conversation were related to civilizational issues, and in that context, I want to add my thoughts. Have you noticed that the most intolerant aspect of the campaign against the Prime Minister is the public courage of his family? Anti-government forces are making nervous calls for the Prime Minister to keep his family away from public activities, to refrain from expressing 'unnecessary' opinions, and to not interfere with public life altogether. Although it is not stated outright, there is an underlying rejection of many human and personal expressions in their words. The encouragement of the wife’s public activities by her husband, the family democracy of listening to each other and freely expressing opinions, and the open expressions of love and attachment to the family, even lying on the grass and eating corn on the way to Dilijan, are all targeted.

Questions arise as to why the public nature of this family, its expressions of care and love for one another, and their simple life choices accessible to almost every family living in Armenia are being targeted. It is clear that certain personal preferences in specific contexts—such as what country’s clothing to wear, where to vacation, how to celebrate New Year, whom to visit, what book to read, and what kind of watch to wear—can become highly political issues, especially in terms of political manipulation.

And now, when a politically and publicly interesting family does not hide but rather displays its personal choices, many themes for political exploitation burst like a balloon. This is, of course, a major stone in the shoes of those circles looking for an opportunity to undermine human trust in the Prime Minister and his authority. That is why we hear calls for restraint, so that the myths about the Prime Minister's family's wealthy clothing and relaxation can circulate uninterrupted, alienating people, and poisoning our trust that the Prime Minister is one of us.

I must say that I am delighted when a husband is proud of his worthy wife. It deeply touches me when he openly expresses his love for his children—especially for his daughters—and it is inspiring when this is done simply, directly, and transparently, right before our eyes, setting an example for us all.

Although human and equal relationships are simply their lifestyle, in terms of political culture and civilization, this is revolutionary. In places where concepts like 'dear girl, don’t get involved' and 'games of the big ones' echo, where the suffocating mindset of inequality tries to show young women their place, I cherish even more the freedom of expression from the Prime Minister’s daughter, as well as the dedicated public activities of women. The status of the Prime Minister is temporary, but the political impact of this simple, equal, and human lifestyle of the Prime Minister's family, I am confident, will continue among us. Yes, this is also why we made a revolution—a civilizational revolution.”