Iravunk: The struggle between power centers intensifies, the government is devouring itself

The developments surrounding the resignation of Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arayik Harutyunyan are taking an interesting turn. Initially, Nikol Pashinyan covered him with his own 'body,' stating that he takes full responsibility, but now he remains silent. Dissatisfaction among opposition forces towards Harutyunyan has been growing like a snowball day by day, and he has become the object of the biggest disappointment from the government in the public.

The 'My Step' faction has started to show the first public cracks on this ground, while others are barely holding back from snatching the 'scepter' from one of the leaders of the revolution. The parliamentary opposition has joined the calls for resignation, and one notable episode became more apparent. When sign-wielders attempted to enter the meeting hall, Deputy Speaker Alen Simonian told a security staff member not to allow the sign inside, only for Parliament Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan to come and almost 'bless' them inside shortly afterward with a wide and bright smile, posing alongside the sign demanding the Minister’s resignation.

It seemed as if Simonian had not just taken on the role of the parliament's 'overseer' just hours earlier. Interestingly, on the day of his resignation discussions in the parliament, Arayik Harutyunyan held a press conference and declared that he is one of the leaders of the revolution, even asserting that no one dreams of his resignation. This was more a message directed at the government than the opposition because peace has not existed within the ruling faction for a long time. Nikol Pashinyan seems to want to rid himself of a minister who burdens his rating through opposition efforts.

However, Harutyunyan is reminding him that it’s not that easy to get rid of him; both he and Pashinyan are equally legitimate heirs of the 'revolution.' It can be said that the extent of Pashinyan's right to remain in his chair is equivalent to that of Harutyunyan's. This situation indicates that a struggle between power centers within the government is beginning, which will fundamentally undermine the already fragile foundations of this government, riddled with a few 'shareholders.' The struggle between them will intensify in the near future, and the opposition, particularly the extra-parliamentary opposition, will no longer have anything to do, as the government is already devouring itself.

Read the full article in today's edition of the newspaper.