How Did the CP Decide to Nominate Tigran Avinyan? The Mayor Comments

"Hraparak" newspaper reports: "Yerevan Mayor Hrachya Sargsyan decided yesterday to leave the government meeting unexpectedly through the main entrance, rather than the back exit, passing by the journalists. We seized the opportunity and asked several questions to the mayor, who stands out for his hasty demeanor during meetings but typically displays a calm demeanor during regular interactions. It is worth noting that Hrachya Sargsyan is temporarily in this position, as the CP has already decided to nominate Tigran Avinyan for the Yerevan elections scheduled for September 2023.

- How did the CP decide to nominate Tigran Avinyan instead of you?
- The political team made such a decision; they see Mr. Avinyan as the candidate for mayor.
- But when they rejected and removed Haik Marutyan from the mayor's position, they saw you in that role. What has changed in their intentions?
- No, the elections will be in 2023, and Mr. Avinyan’s candidacy has been proposed for the elections of 2023, and this is not under discussion in the meantime.
- Do they not consider you a member of their team or do they not trust you?
- No, I believe there is definitely trust; we work very well with the government, and as such, there is a question that I think, having worked for 5 years in the municipality, maybe fresher people are needed for change, and one should not remain in the same position continuously.

- It may sound harsh, but it seems like you were used as an interim figure in the position of a temporary mayor, so they can later depart and bring in their person as mayor.
- Let me put it this way, as I have mentioned, there are many projects in the municipality that I have personally implemented reforms for the benefit of the city, and I continue to implement those projects, particularly in the transport sector, where significant changes are occurring. I am doing all this to change the substance, not just the formalities. And since I have started those projects, I have taken a commitment to see them through to completion.

- All that you do, as well as certain projects from Haik Marutyan's time, are they more due to your efforts or the efforts of others?
- Let me say this; it doesn't happen that one person can do everything entirely. Different people are involved in implementing these projects. And within the frameworks of those projects, we have worked and each of us has had our role in executing them. In particular, I can say that the transport sector has been under my direct supervision, and I have personally dealt with the reforms in the transport sector.
- Did Haik Marutyan leave behind any positive outcomes?
- No, of course, he left positive things; that is, we should not personify the actions of different people. For example, I am making certain reforms in the municipality or in various organizations under our supervision, that is not solely my achievement; it is the achievement of the deputy, my achievement, and the achievements of the heads of departments.
- Were there more complaints about Haik Marutyan in a political sense, or were there managerial issues as well that led to his dismissal?
- I think there were both managerial and political issues; in other words, there were issues on both sides. As I mentioned, there was a chasm between the ruling party and Mr. Marutyan, which is why that clash occurred.

- By the way, it is regularly written in the press that the actual mayor is Tigran Avinyan, and your hurried style of conducting meetings is to show that you are the one in real control of the situation.
- It is not in the press; I would say it is mostly through the newspaper "Hraparak" that this claim and analyses are made.
- The press is the "Hraparak" newspaper, so to speak.
- Well, if the press is the "Hraparak" newspaper, I think you can say, you are the one making those analyses, as such. Those who personally know me, believe me, know my management style, and I, as such, say that I have set a goal to improve those programs that exist. When a citizen leaves their home, they do not look to see if their elevator was changed by the CP, the Republicans, or if it is the CP, the Republican Party, or Dashnak; let’s not change the elevator. This is our country, and we all must collectively work to enhance it.

- In any case, does Tigran Avinyan have a shadow managerial status in the municipality?
- If you explain to me what shadow management means...
- For example, that he determines personnel policy and also decides on global political matters.
- What is global political policy? He says, 'Mr. Sargsyan, in the operational meeting, you will discuss these and those issues, you will give these assignments, you will appoint these people...'

- You know your kitchen better, we see what is visible in meetings and not only.
- No, you do not see it; if you had, they would not have been published in your press... gray, right? Gray cardinal and such other things.
- Have you had any contact with Haik Marutyan since he left the mayor's position?
- We spoke once after he left, about some technical issue, in January, if I’m not mistaken.
- Was there a need to consult or talk about managerial issues?
- Mr. Marutyan has said that if there is a necessity, he is ready to assist. At this point, there has been no necessity."
For more details, see today’s edition of the newspaper.