"Authorities will not stay in power for five years"
Leader of the opposition Heritage party, Raffi Hovannisian, does not demand the resignation of the authorities, but he prophesies that they will not stay in power for five years.
The New Armenia civil movement created by the Heritage leader allows the authorities to ‘enjoy their seats' a few more months, Hovannisian said addressing the Citizens' Assembly on May 20.
However, he says popular outbreak is inevitable though he does not want any casualties. Hovannisian views the hall meetings as a harbour for the fight. This immediately angered Pavel Sargsyan, one of the meeting participants. "I am sick and tired of your harbors, it is time that we entered the port at 26 Baghramyan (the residence of RA President)," he said.
And what did Raffi Hovannisian do ‘to capture' Baghramyan 26? Pavel Sargsyan says his daughter and son-in-law were waiting for Hovannisian on April 9 to enter the presidential residence but it did not happen. "On May 5, my daughter left Armenia together with her family," he added.
Raffi Hovannisian did not apologize for disappointing his teammates and their relatives. Instead, he said ‘if the authorities apply force they will be answered in the same way.'
In his turn, former MP Vardan Khachatryan said the only way to achieve changes is to conduct a dialogue with the authorities in the presence of people.
Former presidential candidate Andrias Ghukasyan predicts civil disobedience and says the country is on the verge of revolution.
"If the parents of the assassinated soldier could get to Yerevan, it would be the beginning of the rebellion," he said.
Ghukasyan says the hike in gas prices will stir up a new wave of complaint in Armenia. The authorities will be unable to repress the wrath of people for a long time.
