Artsakh to have oppositional political force
A new oppositional political force will be formed in Artsakh (Nagoro-Karabakh Republic) after the July 19 presidential elections in the country, says Hayk Khanumyan, a representative of presidential contender Vitaly Balasanyan.
"In his appeal addressed to the Artsakh people after the elections, Mr Balasanyan said that at least one third of our population disagrees with the policies of the country's authorities, which serves as a serious ground for forming a new political structure," Khanumyan told a news conference in Yerevan on Monday.
After the formation of the new political force, a parliamentary group of opposition MPs will be established in the NKR National Assembly. According to the country's legislation, even two deputies can form such a group, he stressed.
During the 2007 presidential elections, all parties backed [NKR President] Bako Sahakyan and Artsakh still does not have opposition. Before Sahakyan came to power Artsakh was considered a partly free country. As a result of his policy, especially after the 2010 non-competitive parliamentary elections in the country, Artsakh appeared in the list of not free countries.
Mr. Khanumyan says it requires a great deal of boldness to vote for an opposition candidate in Artsakh. In fact, Vitaly Balasanyan did not get any votes at precincts where he did not have a proxy.
"During a campaign meeting in Martuni, only 100 people came to meet Vitaly Balasanyan. No one dared to attend the meeting, people were depressed. Balasanyan only met the Statue of Monte Melkonyan," said Khanumyan.
At the end of the meeting, Vitaly Balasanyan's representative reminded that the Artsakh conflict is still pending. To resolve the conflict in a peaceful way, all relations, including those between Armenia and Artsakh should be confirmed in documents ‘to prevent Armenian officials from speaking about territorial concessions.'
