Armenian Opposition Digging Trenches in Parliament: Kommersant on Post-Electoral Developments in Armenia

The opponents of Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have decided to remind everyone of their presence the day after his victory in the parliamentary elections, both in Yerevan and Stepanakert. This is reported by Kommersant, highlighting the post-electoral situation.

The publication has cited a statement made the day before by the leader of the "Armenia" alliance, former president Robert Kocharian, who mentioned that "the mandate received by the current authorities does not reflect the degree of confidence towards them." Kocharian expressed that the opposition intends to appeal the election results to the Constitutional Court, however, until a decision is made, his supporters would retain their mandates.

Discussing the work to be done by his supporters in parliament, Kocharian stated that "they have taken the so-called trenches; now they must strengthen and ensure their complete victory." Meanwhile, Pashinyan, Kocharian's uncompromising opponent, has become more conciliatory after his victory. However, during the electoral campaign, he threatened the "old elite" with imprisonment. Already at the celebratory rally, he moved away from that rhetoric, extending a "hand of unification" to all his rivals, the article notes.

In an interview with the publication, Tevan Poghosyan, the head of the International Center for Human Development in Yerevan, mentioned that the parliamentary opposition would have sufficient resources to confront the authorities. "The opposition has enough voices to form temporary investigative committees on various issues at any moment, summon government representatives there, and hold them accountable," Poghosyan stated.

The political scientist believes that the residents of Artsakh may feel neglected by Yerevan's authorities, who have "forgotten about Artsakh, do not go there, and do not address their issues." According to Poghosyan, the current protests in Stepanakert against Arayik Harutyunyan are manifestations of public sentiment related to the current situation.