Why Mesrop Arakelyan and Mane Tandilyan Did Not Submit Applications to Participate in the Elections: What Happened at the Last Minute

The two social affairs ministers dismissed from their positions, Mesrop Arakelyan and Mane Tandilyan, were preparing to participate in the snap elections with the "Mission" party, and their dismissal was solely due to the elections.

They had hoped until the last minute that they would participate and even applied to the Passport Department the day before to obtain certificates. However, their plans fell apart at the last moment. According to our information, businessman Ruben Vardanyan was supposed to accompany them and cover their financial expenses, but he backed out at the last moment, leaving the former ministers out of the game.

In a conversation with us, Mesrop Arakelyan did not deny that there had been discussions about whether to participate in the elections. He said that some of them might have applied to the Passport Department for certificates as well. Regarding Ruben Vardanyan's intention to finance their party during the pre-election period and his subsequent withdrawal, Arakelyan stated, "There have been various discussions, let's leave that part uncommented... The question of participation in the elections is the last factor for us."

Read the full article in today’s issue of the newspaper.