Konstantin Zatulin: Serzh Sargsyan will have to replace his prime minister during his second term

• Wednesday, February 27, 12:19

It is time for the political elite of Armenia to realize that the current post- election situation may affect the country and it is necessary to seek consensus with the
opposition, says Konstantin Zatulin, Director of the Institute of CIS Countries, in an interview with ArmInfo. 

He is sure that change of power would have harmful effect on Armenia, as a spontaneous unmanageable force will come to replace the legitimately elected authorities.

"Long-term destabilization of the domestic political situation is inadmissible for Armenia, for the country is between two enemies, Azerbaijan and Turkey. The political elite must realize this," he said. Zatulin stressed the necessity of a series of political consultations between the authorities and the opposition.

As regards Raffi Hovannisian, Leader of Heritage Party, who took the second place in the presidential election, Zatulin said: "Leader of Heritage Party Raffi Hovannisian does not want to admit that he received such quantity of votes just because there were no serious opponents. He received also the votes of Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Gagik Tsarukyan, who refused to run for president."

The expert said that by shaking the political situation in the country Hovannisian may lose the votes given to him. In addition, it is very dangerous, he said.

Commenting on the rumors that Moscow is discontented at Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan who maybe replaced for that reason, Zatulin said that such politician as Serzh Sargsyan, undoubtedly, realizes the necessity of changes.

"President of Armenia realizes that he will have to replace the prime minister during his second term. The country's economic policy vector for the coming 5 years and its cooperation with allies depend on future prime minister," Zatulin said.