Is There Opposition in Artsakh? Experts Comment

Vitali Balasanyan is expected to carry out a lot of work to revive opposition field, create power and be engaged in struggle. This was stated by Armen Gevorgyan, representative of “Democracy for Development” NGO in an interview with Lurer.com. He pointed out the report of “Freedom House” watchdog organization, issued in 2011, according to which Artsakh is ranked among “not free” countries.

“The fact that as a result of National Assembly elections 2010, the opposition wasn’t provided opportunity to be represented in legislation and the opposition ceased to exist as a power was taken into account,” noted Gevorgyan.

To our question whether it is possible to claim that opposition is already formed in Artsakh, Grigoryan replied that it is still too early to speak about that.

“There is still too much work to do. But it is important to note that there is a group of people, who have ambitions to come to power and it is already a positive shift,” stated Grigoryan and added that it will be possible to speak about the opposition when this group reveals people’ complaints and concerns and includes them on the political agenda.

To the question the standpoint of which of 4 presidential candidates regarding Karabakh conflict Grigoryan considers correct, the latter replied that Vitali Balasanyan’s standpoint is very important for the future security of Artsakh.

“He submitted a thesis on the protection, transmigration and development of the current territories of Artsakh. It is a great change in Artshakh, since we have been listening to viewpoint about returning territories and no political power has come up with a thesis similar to Balasanyan’s,” emphasized Grigoryan.

To Lurer.com’s question whether the upcoming elections will change anything in the resolution of Karabakh conflict, Grgoryan stated, that if there is no government change as a result of elections, there will be no changes in negotiation process either.
According to political scientist Narek Galstyan political field is more organized in Artshakh than in Armenia.

“I wouldn’t try to make predictions or give evaluations, but political institutions in Artshakh are at the stage of development as well,”- he stated adding that state, political institutions and political field on the whole is more organized there than in Armenia.
Presidential elections in Artshakh are to be held on July 19. Besides the main two candidates Bako Sahakyan and Vitali Balasanyan, the CEC has registered two other candidates as well, scholar Arkadi Soghomonyan, and Valeri Khachatryan.

Ara Harutyunyan