I Do Not See Elections in the Near Future, But I Will Participate If They Happen: President of Artsakh National Assembly

The President of the Artsakh National Assembly, Artur Tovmasyan, mentioned in an interview with the media on January 14 that he did not rule out the possibility of parliamentary and presidential early elections. This statement from the speaker of the parliament came shortly after rumors regarding Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan's potential resignation emerged. However, soon after, the Prime Minister announced that he did not intend to resign, and that in the current situation, the potential resignation of the president or the parliament was unacceptable.

In an interview with NEWS.am, the President of the Artsakh National Assembly, Artur Tovmasyan, addressed these issues:

- Mr. Tovmasyan, your statement about not excluding early parliamentary and presidential elections, and your potential candidacy, sparked significant discussions. Why did you decide to raise the issue of early elections during this difficult situation for Artsakh? Do you think elections in Artsakh will resolve the crisis?

- After the war, during meetings, representatives from both parliamentary and extraparliamentary forces and civil organizations expressed the opinion that the Artsakh National Assembly is not legitimate. I also pointed out that elections are often held after every war, as we saw in Armenia, but we did not have that possibility in Artsakh. My statement was primarily directed at all those forces that want to hold early elections in Artsakh. I am not clinging to these positions with any of the five factions; I have said it is not excluded, but as the President of the National Assembly, I do not see such elections in the near future, though I do not rule them out either. That was my main message, and when asked if I would participate if such elections happen, I answered positively. Not excluding does not mean that early elections are necessarily happening. At this moment, with Artsakh under blockade and numerous social issues and problems, there is no fertile ground for holding nationwide elections.

- Neither the statements from the parliament nor the proposal to withdraw the draft constitutional amendments has been requested by Araik Harutyunyan. Araik Harutyunyan does not interfere with my work, and I do not interfere in the executive's work. From the beginning, I refused to be part of the constitutional reform commission, and the president has respectfully considered my position.

- Why did you not exclude early elections now, when Artsakh is under blockade?

- Do you believe that by announcing this, I caused chaos in Artsakh? Whenever I said it, the situation would be the same; maybe it would have been a little better, or worse, or nothing at all. I had to announce this at some point, right?

- Did you discuss this with President Araik Harutyunyan in advance? Was the president aware of your statement?

- Araik Harutyunyan was taken by surprise, and our faction leader, Arthur Harutyunyan, was also surprised...

- Mr. Tovmasyan, will early elections resolve the situation in Artsakh?

- No, of course not.

- Then why go for early elections?

- But did I say we are going for elections?

- No, but you did not rule out elections.

- I have been brought into a situation where an atmosphere has been created; there are conversations behind walls that deputies are attached to their positions and do not want early elections. I have said I do not rule them out, and if they happen, I will participate. Let the rest decide whether they want to go or not, but I repeat, I do not see that in the near future, but just because I don’t see it, does that mean it won’t happen? In my analysis, if we hold elections now, it will worsen our situation. But I am not the one to decide; if elections are held, I will participate; if some people, political forces feel worse about it, that is their problem. I have my correct path; that is Artsakh, the people of Artsakh, preserving Artsakh as Armenian, which we have a chance to do, and not serving the enemy's agenda and standing up to the challenges faced by Artsakh.

- Mr. Tovmasyan, you spoke about not serving the enemy's agenda. Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan also mentioned that when news of his resignation circulated...

- I agree with Ruben Vardanyan on that.