Levon Ter-Petrosyan will not run for RA president

The leader of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC), the first president of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossyan announced he would not take part in the presidential elections on February 18, 2013.

Ter-Petrosyan announced this in an interview published today in the newspaper "Chorrord Inknishkhanutyun."

-Mr. President, it is not a secret that at the moment, the main if not the only intrigue in the presidential elections in the matter of your nomination or non-participation, consider about the published press comments and suggestions. How do you feel about this?

-I am surprised.

-What do you mean?

I mean, as I know, no one has raised the question of whether a person who respects his people under the age of sixty-eight years to claim the presidency. In developed democracies, usually this does not happen.

-So, you will not run?

-What they will say, a 68-year-old man does not have the energy and efficiency, which he has in a 45-60-year olds. Consequently, the arena should go the youngers.

-Your rationale, of course, is persuasive, but is there a concern that many consider it just an excuse?

-Age can not be the reason, because, as they say, age is an objective of the reality.

-And do not you think that your decision will be judged ambiguous, and there are those who will not be happy and will condemn?

-Show me politicians's any behaviour, which is rated well. Of course there are those who will not be happy and will be condemned, but there will be those who will rejoice.

-Would you like to add anything?

-Not yet, but I promise in case opportunity, after the bustle of the presidential elections, I will address in detail all the issues that worry people.