YEREVAN (ARFD.info)–On Dec. 25, the ARF-Dashnaktsutiun Supreme Assembly of Armenia issued the following statement:
In accordance with the Supreme Assembly’s July decision, the ARF-D Supreme Council of Armenia began the process of forming a broad agreement around a unified political agenda, with the participation of active political forces and civic circles, to develop a unified oppositional front.
Both this initiative and the political agenda that was introduced were positively welcomed, although certain prerequisites to making the process more effective did exist. The possibility, at least, existed to restore the people’s broken trust in the elections, to generate a qualitatively new situation, to conduct truly competitive elections, and to create the ground for regime change. Preconceived approaches, however, conditioning the accord with a concrete candidate prevented the united agenda from being realized.
Taking into account the current situation, and based on the above-mentioned assertions, the ARF-D Supreme Council Assembly of Armenia, declares that it will:
1. not nominate a candidate for the upcoming Feb. 18, 2013 presidential elections;
2. authorize the Supreme Council to follow pre-electoral processes and, if the need arises, to orient ARF-D members and supporters accordingly, while refraining from supporting the candidate of the authorities;
3. continue to pursue, with all political means available, the realization of the party’s seven-point platform.
This is a wise and prudent decision. Most likely any candidate the ARF would have nominated would have garnered an insignificant number of votes, probably in the range of 5-7%.
The ARF in Armenia has to refocus and gain the confidence of the electorate. It has to play the role of effective opposition and hopefully make tangible progress on its seven point platform. It need to have his voice heard.
There is much to be done to reform the political environment in Armenia. ARF can play a significant role to make the reforms effective. However, it cannot do it on its own. It needs to orgnaize and ally itself with other minority opposition parties, who believe in the same principles, so that it can become an influencial force in the Parliament.
Vart Adjemian