Serzh Sargsyan: "Growing а rival - is not the authorities' problem."

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan gave an exclusive interview to Radio Liberty. Interview was conducted by the director of the Armenian Service of Radio Liberty (Radio Azatutyun) Hrayr Tamrazyan.

- Mr. President, who is the candidate with whom you compete? Who is your main opponent at this moment? Paruyr Hayrikyan, Raffi Hovannisian or Bagratyan? Or maybe anyone else?

- Your first word was more appropriate: a competitor, not an adversary, because I speak frankly, neither in any poll, I did not think anyone my opponent. And if you really take a quick look back at those pre-election processes, make sure you can see that we had never worked against anyone.

We have always stood with the principle "in the name." We fought, competed for the fact that our ideas were more common, and did not try to expose errors or weaknesses of others. In this sense, I believe that this election will not be an exception, and in spite of some of the circumstances, this time we will stay true to our approach.

- Mr. President, now there is often an opinion that the elections are not competitive. I have asked the question in this context. And still, do you have a competitor?

- I tend to think that growing a rival - is not the authorities' problem. I believe that the task of the government is to create a competitive field, a competitive atmosphere, although it is not only the responsibility of power. But what we should have done?

Should we bring our compatriot from Europe or the United States or start growing anyone else here? This is what they are trying to blame us that we are supposedly working on it. Thank God, we have never done it and we will never do it, and it is generally a thankless job. You know, when they say that there is a strong competitor, that no one who can win a lot of votes, I do not agree.

And who said that the same Raffi Hovannisyan, the same Bagratyan, the same Paruyr Hayrikyan that have merit and have passed a long way, are lighter rivals or have less experience in public debates or speeches?