Sharmazanov: “The consultations are in progress”
After the session of the Republican Party of Armenia's (HHK) executive body, speaker of the Republican Party of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov said Serzh Sargsyan had informed the executive body about his meetings with the leaders of other political parties.
"The consultations are in progress. The HHK still hasn't made a final decision, but I can say that the party will make a decision that will be in the country's interests. In any case, we have to stay true to our ideology, the provisions stated in our program and obviously the course for changes that the party has adopted with its leader," said Sharmazanov.
Sharmazanov informed that there had not been any discussion on candidates for Prime Minister or National Assembly chairman. "There is no final decision on that yet."
Sharmazanov also said the HHK has always supported political consolidation and unity and that the issue of the coalition would be discussed during the next session.
When asked whether the issue of supporting Serzh Sargsyan in the 2013 presidential elections would be one of the mandatory conditions for forming the coalition, Sharmazanov mentioned:
"There is currently a coalition memorandum that the three political parties, including the HHK, "Country of Law" Party (OEK) and Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) have signed, stating that they will support Serzh Sargsyan in the 2013 presidential elections. The political parties haven't expressed any other official view yet," said Sharmazanov.
He also mentioned that unlike many other political parties, the HHK is one of the unique political parties in Armenia that hasn't avoided taking responsibility.
As for ex-foreign minister Vardan Oskanyan's statement that the coalition will be formal, Sharmazanov mentioned:
‘I don't think Vardan Oskanyan is expressing the BHK's official position. I can bring up several examples of how Oskanyan's statements haven't fallen in line with the official position of the BHk leader and the party, including the statement about the "informal" coalition."
Sharmazanov said the answers to all questions would be given before the first session of the newly elected National Assembly on May 31.
