Decision will be known by Friday
During a March 18 press conference Heritage Party spokesperson Hovsep Khurshudyan commented on the recent decision of the party not to unite with the Armenian National Congress (HAK) and run on a joint ticket in the upcoming May Yerevan mayoral elections.
"Any decision made by the Heritage Party will contribute to the opposition's victory," Hovsep Khurshudyan said on March 18. He voiced regret that although the Heritage and the Armenian National Congress (HAK) had arranged to name a joint candidate for the city mayor, the HAK decided the format and participation in the election without the Heritage.
Hovsep Khurshudyan says they think highly of the HAK and appreciate its place in the political domain, and yet, the Congress had better discuss its list with the Heritage.
The list proposed by the Heritage is headed by Armen Martirosyan, followed by Levon Ter-Petrosyan, and Raffi Hovanisyan. Hovsep Khurshudyan believes that all those who disapprove of the government policy and do not want to vote for Levon Ter-Petrosyan, will vote for Armen Martirosyan.
The Heritage Spokesman says the party regards the upcoming elections as a means of a political struggle rather than a struggle for a mayor's post. Armen Martirosyan's victory was to have been secured by the two great political figures-Levon ter-Petrosyan and Raffi Hovanisyan. In that case, the opposition electorate would have been consolidated.
Asked which of the candidates has greater chances to win the election- Ter-Petrosyan or Armen Martirosyan, Hovsep Khurshudyan refrained from giving a straightforward answer and advised "not to cut the question from its logical context." He reiterated that the Heritage does not want to lose voters and the party has made a methodological decision.
Hovsep Khurshudyan says the chances to rag the elections are few as both the HAK and the Heritage will do their utmost to conduct a fair and free election in Yerevan.
Hovsep Khurshudyan also advised opposition media not to defame the Heritage and provoke a conflict between the two wings of the opposition, HAK and Heritage, as it is expedient only for the government.
The Heritage will make a final decision about its participation on Friday. "A lot depends on the HAK," Hovsep Khurshudyan said regarding Heritage's final decision to run or withdraw from the race.
Hovsep Khurshudyan said the "Heritage" has not taken the final decision on its participation in the elections. He assured, however, that whatever decision is made, it will proceed from the logic of the opposition's victory.
