ANC Coordinator Levon Zurabyan: "2012 will be the year of formation of legitimate authorities in Armenia either through next elections or a revolution."

The opposition Armenian National Congress’ (ANC) supporters are growing every year, ANC Coordinator Levon Zurabyan stated during a press conference on Wednesday. And as proof, he pointed to the packed rallies that were held in March 2011.  

Reflecting on those who left ANC, he noted that this is a very normal process for a political force, as the hopeless leave and new people come.

With respect to the upcoming parliamentary elections, Levon Zurabyan announced that their task is to turn these elections into early presidential elections, that is, into a “no-confidence referendum for President Serzh Sargsyan.” 

And to the question as to whether after the parliamentary elections ANC would take part in the National Assembly’s activities, Zurabyan responded: “If we achieve early [presidential] elections in February-March, and, if God willing, we achieve Serzh Sargsyan’s resignation, don’t you think your question is premature?”   

Nonetheless, Levon Zurabyan did state that there are no preconditions for fair elections. And the only change, as per ANC Coordinator, is that the people have become more demanding, and the international community, more careful.

He stated that 2012 will be the year of formation of legitimate authorities in Armenia either through next elections or a revolution. 

He said that either the power will have to hold fair elections, or it will draw the country into shocks. 

Levon Zurabyan said that the authorities can avoid snap elections, but they cannot do that in case of next elections, and the Congress needs to use the next elections for the shift of power. At the same time, Levon Zurabyan said that this does not mean that Congress gave up the idea on snap elections. He noted that in February and March they will demand snap elections and formation of legitimate authorities. He also said that they will be trying to achieve this goal since the beginning of the year, but if they fail, they will use the next election for the withdrawal of the regime.