Why Tigran Avinyan's Appointment is Delayed: 'Hraparak'

'Hraparak' newspaper reports that the process of appointing former Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan as Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, or more accurately, Deputy to the Mayor, is delayed. It was previously determined that this would occur by March 15. It was anticipated that Avinyan would enter the City Hall alongside three new deputy mayors or immediately afterward, and the staff was eagerly awaiting him. However, at this point, it is a fact that he remains in the 'reserve of personnel.'

The reasons for this delay are circulating various hypotheses within governmental circles. Some say that there is a desire not to 'spoil' Avinyan too soon, and his appointment will be made five days before the Yerevan Council elections to prevent his rating from plummeting before the elections, complicating the prospect of victory in Yerevan.

On the other hand, Nikol Pashinyan always keeps key figures of his team in a state of 'dependency,' not granting them significant power and ensuring that groups do not grow too close and plan a palace coup against him. Particularly, there is not much trust in Tigran Avinyan, as he has long been viewed as one of Pashinyan's potential successors, and if Western influence increases in the region, his chances will also grow accordingly.

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