Raffi Hovannisian asking for money
The congress of the opposition Heritage Party is slated for December 15, Heritage Leader Raffi Hovannisian told reporters on Monday. The Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) is also going to convene its congress on that day.
Mr Hovannisian asked the presentees not to be surprised at the coincidence of the date.
"Main rivals usually convene congresses on the same day," he said.
Mr Hovannisian is not seeking the support of the Free Democrats party in next year's presidential elections. Nor is he offended by the fact that the Free Democrats did not include on its agenda the issue of supporting Hovannisian in the elections.
Asked whether he is asking money from the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) and Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) for the campaign as Heritage is encountering serious financial problems, Mr Hovannisian said, "True, we have always faced financial problems. Neither the party, nor I have a business."
Mr. Hovannisian expects to get the AMD 100 mln required for the campaign from ‘caring citizens.'
Free Democrats and Heritage parties participated in the May 2012 parliamentary elections with a single list. Free Democrats leader Khachatur Kokobelyan and party member Alexander Arzumanyan took seats into parliament. However, a conflict arose between the two forces which resulted in their split in October. In the long run, Kokobelyan and Arzumanyan announced that though they formally remain members of the Heritage faction in parliament, they will no longer represent the faction's position.
