Notes from the Pink City
Democracy In An Opposition-Less Parliament
While Armenia’s post-Velvet Parliamentary convocation completes its first full week in session, one question still remains unanswered: Who is the opposition? Of the three political factions represented in the National Assembly, “My Step” alliance alone forms the government. However, debate continues on whether the remaining parties, Bright Armenia (BA) and Prosperous Armenia, embody the ‘true’ opposition. These two parties were instrumental in Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s rise to
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Very optimistic assessment, in my opinion. Time will tell. But remember the old adage: “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Pashinyan’s party has a super majority. Most of the “independent” MPs you allude to from his own party are political newbies and owe their ascendance entirely to Pashinyan (his supporters, old friends, his English tutor, his bodyguard, etc). This group is unlikely to ever oppose him. A pessimist may think that is the reason Pashinyan chose such a young and inexperienced group.
BHK is too pragmatic and apolitical to actually oppose a governing party. Look at their track record.
Bright Armenia is too small to make a difference, but will be an important source of criticism in the Parliament.
That leaves the Civil Society, which is as vigilant as ever. But in a country with semi-authoritarian history until a few months ago, and a skillful orator at its helm, Civil Society is at the mercy of the rulers.
With 5 years to go, a lot can change. Let’s just hope that today’s heroes do not become tomorrow’s villains. If history is any indication, we are in for a ride.
This is not a criticism of the AW or Raffi.
Pashinian’s My Step Alliance won the elections overwhelmingly. It’s done. It’s over. We all have to accept it. Lack of meaningful opposition is not new to the Armenian political reality. And attempts to foretell what this will mean is meaningless and premature at this stage until we see whether Pashinian will walk the talk or not.
There are important developments that are not covered by the Armenian Weekly which
are extremely relevant and important:
a- Pashinian;s participation in Davos. His meetings with world business leaders and what that might mean for Armenia’s economical renewal and Armenia’s image on the world stage.
b- Pashinian’s side meetings with the Azeri president and what that means to Artsakh.
c- Pashinian’s letter to the ARF World Congress.
If the AW does not have the resources to cover these important news/events, it can easily publish articles from Asbarez or Aztag (both are sister organs). I suspect few AW readers also follow these two newspapers that somehow have better coverage of events that interest Armenians in the US or diaspora.
Just a proposal/suggestion.
Vart Adjemian
It will be a wise step to evaluate how the political authorities on the international arena, both once friendly and now critical (or not critical), view the new so-badly-called velvety revolution rather than joining hands in sharing responsibility. 51% majority rule and creating opposition of 49% is not democratic. On the other hand over 70% majority leads to demagogy or dictatorship and cannot be headlined as democratic.