Category Archives: Politics

Twin Inaugurations

April 9 turned into a strange day with both officially reelected President Serzh Sarkissian and his opposition challanger Raffi Hovannisian swearing in as presidents of Armenia.

The settings were rather different, as you can see from these two videos below:

The day turned a little scary when a couple of dozen opposition supporters taken to the police and the nose of a key oppositionist, Armen Martirosyan’s, was smashed into a bleeding condition in an incident with the police. The rumors about the murder of a young man, which later turned out to be unrelated and news about Raffi Hovannisian losing consciousness amid clashes with the police exacerbated the situation.

In the end, however, the day ended rather peacefully.

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Google+ Hangout With Armenian Presidential Challenger Raffi Hovannisian

Armenia - Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian is greeted by supporters in Yerevan's Liberty Square, 22Feb2013 | Photolur via Azatutyun.am

Armenia – Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian is greeted by supporters in Yerevan’s Liberty Square, 22Feb2013 | Photolur via Azatutyun.am

On April 9, incumbent Serzh Sarkisian will be sworn in for another term as president of Armenia.

As that happens, Sarkisian’s bested rival, Raffi Hovannisian, will be taking part in his own inauguration — the “inauguration of a new Armenia,” as he says. It’s unclear exactly what the event will be, but the timing is almost certainly no accident.

Hovannisian disputes the results of the February 18 election. He lost to Sarkisian by roughly 20 points, according to official results. He recently ended a two-week hunger strike that he had been holding to protest the election results and demand electoral reforms.

RFE/RL’s Armenian Service (Radio Azatutyun) discussed all of these issues and more with Hovannisian in an exclusive Google+ Hangout on the evening of April 7.

Watch a recording of the talk below.

 

Armenian Civil Society Outraged by Obama’s Congratulation

Activists made protest action in front of the US Embassy in Armenia towards the congratulation by US President Barack Obama towards Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan

A group of human rights activists, among them recipients of US State Department’s Universal Rights Awards, staged a protest-action in front of the US Embassy in Yerevan to express outrage over US President Barack Obama’s congratulatory message to the Armenian President Serzh Sarkissian for his reelection. Continue reading

Obama Sticks A Price Tag on Sarkissian’s Congratulation Message

U.S. -- President Barack Obama (L) greets his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, 12Apr2010

U.S. — President Barack Obama (L) greets his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, DC, 12Apr2010

Armenian President Serzh Sarkissian received congratulatory message from the President of the USA Barack Obama on his reelection, amid doubts about the election process voiced by international observers and human rights watchdogs. Continue reading

Remember. March 1 Will Never Be The First Day of Spring Again

PS:  Where are the authorities, who are directly responsible for the 10 deaths of March 1? Why don’t they show up and pay tribute?

Raffi Hovannisian hints at plans for pursuing #barevolution during March

Raffi Hovannisian hinted that he has a plan and promised to reveal it during a rally on March 2nd, as thousands gathered to listen to him in what was possibly the largest crowd since the opposition presidential candidate announced that he won’t accept the official election results. Continue reading

What to Expect Given The History of Armenia’s Past Post-Election Developments

A1plus is presenting this great archive video with lessons of the past about Armenia’s post-election developments. My main takeaway – all past elections have ended in post-election developments, but opposition has never won. However, things are different this time: Continue reading

Serj Tankian’s Letter to The President of Armenia

Armenian President Serzh Sarkissian and Armenian-American singer-songwriter Serj Tankian at a meeting, undated | Source: President.am

Armenian President Serzh Sarkissian and Armenian-American singer-songwriter Serj Tankian at a meeting, undated | Source: President.am

Grammy-winning singer/song writer Serj Tankian has sent an open letter to Serzh Sarkissian, expressing doubts that the incumbent president has indeed won in February 18th Presidential elections and calling for the de facto Armenian leader to institute genuine rule of law in the country, punish those, who stole the vote from the people, dissolve the parliament, ensure that genuinely free and fair elections are held and that the government is truly representational. Find the full letter below. Continue reading

The Parallel Realities of Post-Election Armenia

Armenia - Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian is greeted by supporters in Yerevan's Liberty Square, 22Feb2013 | Photolur via Azatutyun.am

Armenia – Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian is greeted by supporters in Yerevan’s Liberty Square, 22Feb2013 | Photolur via Azatutyun.am

There’s a lot said and done these days in the name of the people of Armenia, to the people of Armenia, for the people of Armenia, with the people of Armenia, regardless the people of Armenia… Continue reading

Hovhannisian Disperses Supporters for A Day Following a Meeting With Sarkissian