Karen Karapetyan is the most interesting figure for Moscow in Armenia’s pre-election developments: Vadim Dubnov
“Decision of Tsarukyan’s return is a component of pre-election combination,” Vadim Dubnov, Russian political scientist, columnist, told 168.am, reflecting to Armenia’s domestic policy developments.
In particular, touching upon return of Gagik Tsarukyan, president of Armenian National Olympic Committee, to politics, Vadim Dubnov said he doesn’t consider that Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan is enthusiastic about Tsarukyan’s return to politics. However, according to him, this is a component of certain combination, to which Sargsyan was urged to agree and participate, as in Armenia’s political field certain new, rather powerful figures have appeared like Karen Karapetyan, who, if intended, may change all the state of affairs and new powers, appeared in the liberal wing.
“Together with this, Tsarukyan’s return is rather expressive and principal. Thus, I consider, that Tsarukyan has a potential. The issue is from which part of the electorate he may gain a share. I consider, he may work despite his apolitical and non-ideological image, may attempt to work on different layers. I wouldn’t overestimate oppositional activity of Tsarukyan’s past, as when we speak of oppositional position, we mean certain ideological struggle. And when we speak of Tsarukyan’s oppositionalism, we mean competition between the wings of the authorities, which is a competition today, cooperation tomorrow, the day after tomorrow we’ll remember the labels Tsarukyan had, and the following day he will return victorious. Thus, I consider, calling him an oppositional figure won’t be a proper qualification for the past and the future,” Russian analyst had.
Reflecting to Oskanian-Ohanyan-Dallakyan union, Dubnov said this alliance may have certain electorate, however, it won’t become a threat to the authorities. “I haven’t yet followed the activity of those figures,” he said.
Russian political analyst doesn’t consider that Moscow is plunged into Armenia’s pre-election processes. “I consider, the most interesting figure for Moscow is Karen Karapetyan, as he is interesting here in all regards, both a person and a figure, shaping as a new direction of Armenia’s development, and as a figure representing a new cooperation option. I consider that interest is grounded. Of course, his participation in the elections will be interesting to Moscow and it’ll be the greatest intrigue,” Dubnov said.
According to him, all other issues aren’t so important for Moscow, as it won’t have long-term hopes with any power. “It’ll be interesting to follow the developments between Tsarukyan and Sargsyan, Sargsyan and other participants. I think, out of this Moscow will act upon the situation without long-term bets and hopes,” Dubnov said.
To the question whether Moscow observes Karapetyan separately from Serzh Sargsyan’s team, Dubnov replied, “I consider, Karapetyan is a bit higher in Armenia’s political life and for Moscow. And that position is reasoned.”
By Araks Martirosyan
