R. Giragosian: "Oligarchs are main theat to Armenia"
It is too early to speak about the parliamentary system of government, and the switch can be dangerous for the country, Richard Giragosian, Director of Regional Studies Center (RSC), told a news conference on Monday.
"In Armenia, politics is based on political institutions or ideologies, rather than on personalities. I do not think that our parliament is ready to make the proposed changes," he said.
Richard Giragosian is confident that the upcoming presidential elections will not be competitive, viewing it is a key challenge to the country.
The analyst is skeptical about the formation of a joint political agenda by opposition and alternative forces which is intensively discussed these days.
He reminded that similar discussions took place before each election but the parties had never been able to agree on the issue of a single candidate.
He says the re-election of U.S. President Barack Obama will deepen Armenian-American relations, increasing Armenia's strategic importance. The United States will continue to actively work with all forces of the political system in Armenia, starting from the opposition and ending with the government. The United States is interested in a stable Armenia as its partner although as, Mr Giragosian says, Armenia is the most stable country in the region.
"Armenia is more stable than Georgia and Azerbaijan," he said. "To maintain that stability Armenia should seek to become a more democratic country, relying on its own resources."
"To this end, it is necessary to challenge the oligarchs who enjoy privileges in the market and are the main threats to Armenia," said the analyst.
Referring to the statement of [second president] Robert Kocharyan about ‘feudal lords,' Mr Giragosian said Kocharyan is well aware of the system as it became powerful during the years of his presidency.
"So, we can accept Kocharyan's ideas, at the same time remembering that it is Serzh Sargsyan who makes decisions today," he said.
