Personnel reshuffle in Armenia: almost nothing will change

• Wednesday, March 20, 09:40

The ruling circles of Armenia are currently discussing the forthcoming personnel reshuffle expected right after the April 9 swear-in ceremony of Serzh Sargsyan.    

ArmInfo's sources close to the authorities say that one should expect no special personnel reshuffle.  Rotation of 4 or 5 ministers may occur. But in general, the key members of the executive power headed by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan will retain their portfolios. According to the sources, despite certain political circles' discontent with Tigran Sargsyan's activity, his long stay at the premier's post is mostly due to the impact of Europe, which considers him to be "committed to the key values and principles" and promoter of European interests in Armenia.

As a measure of pressure on the republic, the EU has chosen the method of harsh statements concerning the impossibility of simultaneous Armenia's Association membership in EU and the country's membership in the Customs and Eurasian Unions. It is in this light that one should also consider the stay of Armen Gevorgyan in the Vice Premier's post. Europe also considers him to be its representative in the Armenian Government. Moreover, the same sources say that it is Armen Gevorgyan who will hold the talks on approval of the next European grant or loan.

Following the logic, if Tigran Sargsyan remains a premier, Economy Minister Tigran Davtyan and Finance Minister Vache Gabrielyan, as well as Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Artur Javadyan will retain their portfolios. Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan will not lose his portfolio either. Head of the State Revenue Committee, oligarch Gagik Khachatryan is most likely to lose his position.

There is no information yet about the ministers of force structures, but the power circles do not rule out possible rotation. The issue of the foreign minister's position is not being discussed either. 

Personnel reshuffle will occur in the President's Administration either. In particular, Spokesperson of Armenian President Armen Arzumanyan will apparently lose his post and become the head of one of the pseudo-opposition TV channels. Artak Alexanyan, Head of the ArmNews TV channel, and Gevorg Altunyan, Head of the information and analytical programs of the Public TV and Radio Company, are considered as possible nominees for the post of the President's
Spokesperson.