Active Campaigning to Start March 2, Prime Minister to Participate: Papikyan

The active campaign for the constitutional amendments referendum scheduled for April 5 will kick off on March 2 and will conclude on April 3. This was stated by Suren Papikyan, the head of the 'Yes' campaign headquarters, during a meeting with journalists.

Suren Papikyan, who is also the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, mentioned that he is currently on vacation.

Next Saturday, the minister will conduct a working visit to the Republic of Georgia, after which he will take another vacation, which will continue until the end of the campaign.

Papikyan also noted that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will participate in the campaign and will take a vacation if necessary.

A journalist inquired whether the opposition's 'No' campaign headquarters responded to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement that the funds raised from the money collection for the referendum would be directed towards the needs of the 'Civil Contract' party, while the invitation stated that the collected funds would be used for campaign expenses.

In response, Suren Papikyan pointed out that the organizer of the money collection is the 'Civil Contract' party, which has not acted improperly towards any donor. 'Moreover, both my statement and the Prime Minister's have clearly indicated that the fundraising is for the current needs of the party and, naturally, the main reason is the 'Yes' campaign. At the same time, had the 'Yes' campaign organized the fundraising evening, a question would have arisen as to why 200 million drams were collected, and what its fate would be,' emphasized Suren Papikyan.

How does the 'Yes' headquarters intend to persuade citizens to vote in favor? Suren Papikyan answers that they do not plan to engage in a 'life or death struggle.' 'We have provided the citizens of Armenia the opportunity to decide the course of our country, starting from the velvet revolution. This right has been acquired by the citizens of Armenia, and it is their inalienable right; we have once again provided the opportunity to exercise it. There is no more democratic process than a referendum. This will be a true reflection of the voice and will of our citizens, the real owners of Armenia. If citizens decide otherwise, we will reckon with that reality. However, if 650,000 votes are needed for the victory of 'Yes,' I call on our citizens to participate in the referendum and vote 'Yes,'' he stated.