Raffi Hovannisian to continue rallying after fruitless meeting with Armenian president

• Friday, February 22, 19:30

  At the Feb 22 rally at the Liberty Square Heritage Party Leader Raffi Hovannisian dispelled the intrigue of yesterday's meeting with president Serzh Sargsyan. 

He said that he demanded Sargsyan to recognize victory of the citizens and, consequently, his defeat at the election. The president's response was negative. Such categorical stance did not confused Hovannisian, who suggested conducting new election. However, Sargsyan was unwavering and again declined his suggestion. Then, Hovannisian demanded punishing everyone directly or indirectly involved election rigging: ministers, parliamentarians, and governors. Hovannisian said that if Sargsyan disagrees with this idea either, so let him introduce a proportional system of parliamentary election and organize new parliamentary elections. 

"I am sure that new elections to the parliament would reflect the public will, however Sargsyan declined also that demand. I replied that I have nothing to say anymore and we will continue rallies consistently in line with the Constitution," he said.

Leader of Heritage Party told his supporters that on February 23 in the afternoon he will start a rally in Ashtarak. A similar rally will be held in Vanadzor at 2:00pm, in Gyumri at 5:00pm and in Liberty Square in Yerevan at 3:00pm on February 24. 

The preliminary data of the Feb 18 presidential election aroused high public response in the country. To recall, Raffi Hovannisian received 36.75% of votes and lost the Feb 18 presidential election to the incumbent president Serzh Sargsyan who received 58.64% of votes.  Since February 19 Hovannisian has been organizing rallies in the Liberty Square. Unlike the previous ones, this rally has not been sanctioned. It is noteworthy that Head of ARFD Faction, representative of the ARFD Supreme Body Armen Rustamyan, joined the rally. Andreas Ghoukassyan, candidate for president, is also present at the rally.