Raffi Hovannisian: Unpopular candidates' running for Armenian President to spice up elections

• Tuesday, January 8, 15:25

During the forthcoming presidential elections in Armenia, not specific candidates, but two Armenias will compete - the Armenias of Serzh Sargsyan and Raffi Hovannisian, Heritage Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian said at today's press conference in Yerevan.

He said that the unpopular candidates running for president will spice up the electoral process and make it more interesting. The politician stressed that every citizen of the country has the right to participate in the elections and introduce changes in development of the country. Hovannisian is sure that the elections will have two rounds, and the dignified candidate will be elected. He expressed willingness to shake hands with the winner in case of fair and transparent elections.  

When asked whether he is ready to give place to a joint opposition candidate, the politician said that he does not rule out such developments; all the more so, as he is not going to compete with the opposition candidates - Leader of Azatutyun Party (Liberty) Hrant Bagratyan and Leader of the National Self- Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan.

15 people are going to run in the presidential race:  President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, former Prime Minister Hrant Bagratyan, leader of Heritage party Raffi Hovhannisian, leader of Self-Determination Union Paruyr Hayrikyan, leader of National Accord party Aram Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Arman Melikyan, member of Prosperous Armenia Ruben Ayvazyan, non-partisan Taron Abrahamyan, leader of Progressive Socialist Party
Robert Aharonyan, political scientist Andrias Ghukasyan, historian Vartan Sedrakyan, head of Kashatagh NGO Robert Simonyan, pensioner Pavlik Sargsyan, unemployed Mher Hayrikyan and President of National Press Club Narine Mkrtchyan.

8 of them have not yet paid the 8mln AMD ($20,000) election deposit and have been given time for so doing till Jan 10 02:00 PM.