Paruyr Hayrikyan to run for Armenian president in 2013.

Paruyr Hayrikyan, leader of the National Self-Determination Union (AIM) says he is going to run for president in 2013.

Some people urge me to put forward my candidacy. They say I have had my contribution to the establishment of the state and have no right to stay aloof. I have a duty to perform, otherwise I shall be punished," Hayrikyan told a news conference on Wednesday.

The AIM leader, who is seriously preparing for next year's presidential elections, considers Serzh Sargsyan to be his main challenger.

"If Serzh Sargsyan does not become president, I shall become," he said.
On the other hand, Hayrikyan says he is a realistic person and does not have good chances to be elected as the country's president.

With regard to the May 6 parliamentary elections, the AIM leader says he was surprised at the amount of electoral bribe.

"Everybody was ready to take bribe," he stressed.

Paruyr Hayrikyan does not have great expectations from the parliament of the fifth convocation, especially from Levon Ter-Petrosyan's Armenian National Congress (HAK) which is a new force in the National Assembly.

The AIM leader considers himself the founder of the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and says his party is ready to cooperate with the HHK.