“Armenia” alliance will be a radical opposition in the parliament of Armenia, the second president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan said at the first meeting of the bloc.
In his speech, he stated that his bloc has become the second-largest opposition group in the parliament, and they will have enough power to implement part of their goals.
He also thanked the 270 thousand citizens who voted for them
It is obvious that two parliamentary opposition blocs – Kocharyan-led “Armenia” alliance and Sargsiyan-led “I have honour” will act together to resist Pashinyan’s attempts to go toward the restoration of peace and normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, even between Armenia and Turkey. They will try to cause an impediment to the actions of the Pashinyan government, not allow Armenia’s collaboration with Azerbaijan and Turkey.
Speaking to Eurasia Diary, Turan Gafarli, the expert on the South Caucasus at the TRT World Research Center, made comments on Kocharyan’s statements.
He noted that the former leader of Armenia will never be silent, and he will try to create obstacles for Pashinyan’s policies.
“Kocharyan will try in any way to cause damage to the process of the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Kocharyan and his supporters will try to represent themselves as legitimate predecessors of the Pashinyan government. They will try to do steps to prevent actions of peace and reconciliation in the region. But, I do not think that they will attempt to carry out revanchist acts in practice. They know that Armenia cannot go to war with Azerbaijan. Majority in Armenia are against the war. By the way, Russia also supports the restoration of peace and stability in the region. So the only thing Kocharyan can do in the parliament is to resist the normalization of relations between Armenia and its neighbors – Azerbaijan and Turkey,” Gafarli noted.
Expert also believed that the leaders of the Karabakh clan would never agree on the close cooperation between Turkey and Armenia.
“The 10th November declaration is beneficial for both Turkey and Russia. Although Kocharyan is a close friend of Russian ruling class, Moscow will never allow him to damage the opportunities for the opening of regional communications in the region,” he said.
“Furthermore, Pashinyan has a strong support among Armenian people. If Kocharyan and his supporters try to illegally or forcefully do anything, Armenian people will flow in the streets of Yerevan. It will be the only thing to help Pashinyan to become stronger,” he added.
Kocharyan also said in his speech that the next snap parliament elections may be held after one year or half of the year.
“In case of continuing the current policy by the Pashinyan government, we will see new elections in the country,” Kocharyan said.
Touching upon the issue, Turan Gafarli said that it is unbelievable to expect the next snap elections in Armenia.
“Armenian people do not want new elections. If the next snap elections are held in Armenia, Kocharyan–led opposition bloc will lose on a bigger scale in people’s votes, and Pashinyan will win again. I do not think that his actions for peace and cooperation with neighbors will lead to the new elections. So it is impossible to anticipate the next snap elections in Armenia in the near future,” he stressed.
“Pashinyan will do what he wants. He will make steps for the opening of regional communications. He will sign an agreement on the demarcation and delimitation of the state borders with Azerbaijan. He will go in a way to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. Nothing will prevent him. The Pashinyan government will collaborate with both Turkey and Azerbaijan. I am positive about this issue,” he added.