Opposition Forces Unable to Sign Memorandum, Process Halted: 'Zhoghovurd'

'Zhoghovurd' newspaper reports: 'The promised consolidation in the opposition field has not materialized. The parties including the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), 'One Armenia', 'Homeland', and 'National Agenda' will not unite to fight against the revolutionary government in a united front.

It was announced on June 19 that a memorandum would soon be signed to form an opposition bloc and engage in a unified struggle. However, according to 'Zhoghovurd', representatives of these forces last met at the end of last week and were unable to come to an agreement.

Reportedly, the BHK insisted that as many parties as possible join their front to form a powerful coalition centered around Gagik Tsarukyan. Other parties, most of which are personality-driven, disagreed, asserting that there is no need to involve 'small parties' in this process. Consequently, the process of signing the memorandum has either been suspended or entirely canceled.

'Zhoghovurd' has learned that the aforementioned forces have managed to reach an agreement on one issue: no representatives of the old guard or the Republican Party should be involved in opposition activities nor interfere with the actions of the new opposition. That is the only consensus they have achieved so far.

However, what is hindering the unification? BHK parliamentary faction member Iveta Tonoyan stated in an interview with 'Zhoghovurd' that discussions with political forces are ongoing. 'Our discussions with political forces are continuing today, and nothing should be done for the sake of it under the influence of the moment. Nothing can be defined in just one hour,' Tonoyan noted.

Meanwhile, Arthur Vanetsyan, the chair of the 'Homeland' party council, told 'Zhoghovurd': 'The meetings of parliamentary and extraparliamentary opposition forces are periodic. Meetings have taken place on June 20 and prior to that. A normal work process is underway, and at the end of our discussions, we will present our people with the format of cooperation and our upcoming strategy.'

As for the issues regarding the 'One Armenia' party, whose leader has stated that a memorandum will not be signed under any circumstances? According to 'Zhoghovurd', Arthur Ghazinyan complained that he felt ignored and uninformed about arrangements, learning a lot from the media instead. It is also noted that the parliamentary opposition failed to gather the necessary number of signatures throughout the day to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

For more details, refer to today's issue of the newspaper.