The Upcoming Elections in Armenia and the Surrounding Shenanigans
Posted on June. 9. 2021
By Garbis Korajian
With the frenzy of an election in Armenia around the corner and the ongoing shenanigans surrounding it, I was compelled to write this article to provide our readers with some background information on the upcoming election.
The significance of the upcoming June 20th elections.
Armenia’s statehood has never been more fragile since its independence from the Soviet Union. Armenia is surrounded by enemies from all sides who want to see its demise. The last forty-four-day war against Artsakh was a huge blow where we suffered immeasurable losses. To begin, there was the tragic loss of life of our brave young soldiers that numbered over 5000, the displacement of over ten thousand residents from the 7 territories we lost to Artsakh, soldiers being taken as prisoners of war, the loss of the historic town of Shushi; it seemed that everything in the war went wrong for us. While we were suffering these losses of life and territories, our leaders were assuring us of victory.
While Azeri forces backed by Turkish Military and paid mercenaries from Pakistan and Afghanistan were brutally killing our soldiers and innocent citizens the entire world was silent. No one came to help our soldiers while they were being beheaded publicly. Our untrained army was fighting using primitive Soviet-era guns, while the Azeris were utilizing state of the art drones against us. Such a massive loss was made possible because our army has been neglected for over 20 years. Systemic corruption dominated the higher echelon of the military who were competing amongst each other as to who will live in larger homes that resembled palaces.
Our once free and independent territories are now occupied by Russian peacekeepers trying to maintain the peace between Armenia and occupying forces of Azerbaijan. The Lachine corridor now separates Artsakh from Armenia. The promise of Putin to revisit the status of Artsakh in five years appears to be a clear indication of colonial policy in progress, making the independence of Artsakh and its unification with Armenia questionable. Not only does our statehood appear extremely fragile, Alieve is openly threatening to take Sunik, capture Lake Sevan, and walk all the way to Yerevan.
President Alieve, in one of his interviews said, “I never knew that Armenians are such a divided people. I also never realized how weak they were until we marched on them and liberated our seven occupied territories, including our historic town of Shushi. We will not stop until we take Sunik, Lake Sevan and march victoriously into Yerevan.”
In lieu of these ongoing threats from our enemies, our present and past leaders are fighting to win the election. Currently, there are 27 parties running to grab the helm of power. Not only is it sad, but the consequences of open warfare amongst Armenians will be the cause of our demise as a nation. That is why this upcoming election is very important. Therefore, I hope we will set aside our differences after the election, learn from our mistakes and focus on building a strong economy, a well trained and equipped army to protect our borders and guarantee our statehood as a free and independent country. More than any time before, we must stop taking our nation for granted.
Background Information on Armenia’s Parliament
Armenia has a unicameral (single chamber) National Assembly also informally referred to as the Parliament. In Armenia’s parliamentary system, the President of Armenia is the head of state. The president is appointed by the Prime Minister and approved by parliament. The President is a figurehead who holds ceremonial duties, while most of the political power vested in the Parliament and Prime Minister (PM). The PM is the head of government and commander in chief of the armed forces, who is elected by a parliamentary majority. The Armenian parliament has 132 seats. Four seats are reserved for minority Assyrians, Kurds, Russians and Yezidis.
Present Party Structure in Armenian Parliament
Nikol Pashinyan is Prime Minister of Armenia. His party is called “Civil Contract / My Step Alliance,” and it holds 57 seats. Prosperous Armenia (PAP) under Gagik Tsaturyan has 24 seats, and is the opposition. Bright Armenia Edmon
Marukyan has 17 seats.
The Elections of June 20, 2021 and the Armenian mind set.
In the upcoming June election, there are 27 parties, including independent and alliance parties, that are running for Parliamentary seats. Please allow me to share a true story with you that is applicable to our present elections.
According to oral history, Ethiopia, the country where I was born and raised, had a small Armenian community that numbered close to one thousand. In the beginning of 1960s, the Armenian community fiercely fought against each other to elect the leaders of their Community Council. No matter who was involved to mediate, the community failed to maintain harmony. Through the grape vine perhaps, or through his security office, Emperor Haile Selassie was made aware of the Armenian internal conflicts. One morning, as the Emperor was walking through the Imperial Stables he approached his trusted stable master, Colonel Kosroff Boghossian. The Emporer stopped for a moment and asked him, “Colonel, could you explain to me why do Armenians always fight with each other?” The Colonel, who was dumbfounded by the Emperor’s question, thought for a few seconds and replied, “Your Majesty, the reason we fight with each other is because we all want to be Generals and no one wants to be a regular soldier.” The Emperor was apparently very impressed by this answer. My fellow Armenians, therein lies the truth of centuries old fighting amongst each other. Most Armenians who live in the diaspora and in Armenia want to be Generals. No one wants to be a soldier. Our upcoming election on June 20th is a reflection of this General-Soldier dichotomy. This is how we have 27 parties running for election.
How are Parliamentary Candidates selected?
In most countries of the civilized world, such as Canada and the United States, candidates are chosen by their party after undergoing intensive background checks. In Armenia, there are no restrictions against any candidate forming their own party. It’s possible for all as long as they have money and a connection! Leaders of criminal organizations, tax evaders, crooked businessmen, and many other shady individuals can participate in the upcoming election.
We claim to be a people with rich history, a civilization comparable to the Athenian, Roman, Persian, and Babylonian empires. With all these attributes, why do we struggle to run a small country in a civil manner, and instead act like ruffians? We tear each other apart and we publicly insult and degrade each other. Does this look like the behavior of civilized people?
The ugly side of the campaign
I do not know how to begin to describe the ugly truth of this campaign. Has anyone been on Facebook and seen the shameful postings relating to our leaders and candidates in the upcoming elections? Pictures of Pashinyan hanged, pictures of bullet wounds through the forehead of Robert Kocharyan and Serj Sargysyan, and the list goes on. Common insults such as traitor, murderer, and Turkish spy are frequently exchanged.
Lies and false promises, “The Lie Doctrine”
Our politicians continue to speak freely to the public, whether it is the truth or a lie, we will never know. People sit and listen and become confused and unable to make informed decisions. I would like our readers to realize and acknowledge the fact that each and every candidate uses an immense amount of lies and slander, something I will label as, “LIE DOCTRINE.”
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes accepted as truth”
My friends, as we observe and follow the elections, we will not know which candidates to believe. I also do not know who is the “good, the bad and the ugly.”
Nikol Pashinyan was born June 1, 1975, in Ijavan. He is 45 years old and a journalist by profession. He came to power after the Velvet Revolution, where 100,000 people marched to Republican Square after Serj Sargsyan resigned. On May 8, 2018, the parliament elected Pashinyan and bells of freedom rang in Armenia. Pashinyan replaced the old guard with young men and women with no experience in politics, but were highly educated, pro-west, and perhaps anti-Russian. During a visit to Nagorno-Karabakh in August 2019, Pashinyan declared, “Artsakh is Armenia, and that’s it.” He led a crowd in chants calling for the unification of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan invaded Artsakh with direct help from the Turkish army and Pakistani, Middle Eastern and Afghani Mercenaries. Armenia’s liberated territories were lost, Shushi was gone, 5000 young soldiers lost their lives and over 10,000 people were displaced. Pashinyan signed a ceasefire agreement, brokered by President Putin of Russia. Critics say Pashinyan lied to the people all along, by telling them Armenia was winning, but then lost the war and secretly negotiated with Russia and Azeris to return the 7 territories over to the Azeris. After the war was lost and Pashinyan signed a joint ceasefire with Azeris under the auspicious of President Putin, Pashinyan has lost the popularity he once had. He is considered to be a weak leader who is being held responsible for losing the war in Artsakh.
I predict that Pashinyan’s My Step Party will receive approximately 45 % of the parliamentary votes.
Robert Kocharyan was born in Stepanakert August 31, 1954. He is strongly pro-Russian, and became one of the leaders of the Karabakh Movement. In 1991, Kocharyan was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the newly established Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Kocharyan participated in the capture of Shushi in May 1992, one of the most significant Armenian victories of the war. In May 1994, a Peace Agreement was signed by representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the NKR. Kocharyan becomes President of Karabakh from 1994-1997, Ter-Petrosian appoints Kocharyan Prime Minster of Armenia from 1997-1998 and Kocharyan becomes the Second President of Armenia from 1998-2008. During Kocharyan’s presidency, Armenia’s economy grew by 12% annually, and Armenia had peace. Unfortunately, his critics accused him of promoting corruption and creating a “criminal-oligarchy.” Critics also criticize Kocharyan for using his presidency to enrich himself and his family. Gold, Molybdenum and copper mines apparently belong to his friends and family. He owns 30 of the largest companies that are worth over 4 billion USD. On July 26, 2018, he was accused for the death of 10 peaceful demonstrators that took place in Yerevan in 2008. Kocharyan was declared innocent by the courts and returned to politics after the war with Azerbaijan. He is now collaborating with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Reborn Armenia for the upcoming 2021 election.
Although most citizens of Armenia disapprove of his corrupt government, he is gaining popularity after the loss of Karabakh. Most people believe that at least during Kocharyan’s times Armenia was living peacefully, and had all its territories. Many believe Kocharyan will restore Armenia’s dignity, and defend the country against our enemies.
I predict that Kocharyan’s alliance with Tashnagsutiun will receive approximately 15 % of the parliamentary votes. Serj Sargsyan was born June 30, 1954. He is pro-Russian, and served twice as the Prime Minister of Armenia, and was the third President of Armenia from 2008 to 2018. He amended the Armenian constituent to run as Prime Minister of Armenia in order to extend his reign in power.
Many critics label Sargsyan as the most corrupt President Armenia has ever had. His brothers, Levon and Sasha were also involved in every aspect of corruption in Armenia. Sargsyan ruled with brute force. He resigned on April 23, 2018. Criminal charges are pending against him.
I predict that Sargsyan will receive approximately 2 % of the parliamentary votes.
Gagig Tsarukyan was born in November 25, 1956. He is 64 years old and pro-Russian. He is a businessmen, politician, and former athlete. He is the founder and leader of the Prosperous Armenia political party, the largest opposition party in Armenia’s National Assembly. He owns various large-scale businesses and is believed to be the richest man in Armenia. Critics also consider him to be the head of the largest criminal organization in Armenia. Elected member of Parliament in 2004, Prosperous Armenia Party will run for election on June 20. His blatant ignorance in ordering a 3-meter-high cake, for his son’s wedding, has angered many Armenians. He is known and despised for running criminal organizations. Known as Dodi Gago, he is often accused of buying votes from private citizens to be elected.
I predict that Gagig Tsarukyan, with his Prosperous Party, will receive approximately 19 % of the parliamentary votes.
Edmon Maroukyan,
Edmon Marukyan, (pro-Russian), Bright Armenia Party, 7 % of the Parliamentary seats
Pro-west/ anti-Russian:
Jirar Sefilian, (former Sasna Tserer) Ara Papyan, Karekin Gukasyan- National Democratic Pole 10 %
Paryur Hayrenikyan Free Homeland Alliance, 3 %
Levon Shirinyan Christian democratic Rebirth 3 %
Aram Sargsyan, (Pro-Russian) Democratic Party of Armenia 7 %
Other parties or independents, 7 %
The elections are less than two weeks away; Armenians are getting ready to cast their ballots to elect their parliamentary representative and their future government. Therefore, our citizens have to fully understand that participating in elections is the right and at the same time the duty of each citizen; something that cannot be taken with indifference or for granted. Each and every citizen above the age of 18 years old should and must participate in the upcoming election and exercise their voting obligation. Not only that, to create a transparent and fair elections, no one should be tempted to sell their votes for money, no matter how much the amount is. Bribery, ballot rigging, and vote fixing have to be avoided under all circumstances and have to be considered something of the past. Each and every citizen have to base its decision on facts that combine past performance of the individuals who are on the ballot paper and scrutinizes their character. As we have seen, leadership makes all the difference in the destiny of a nation and where it is going. Therefore, electing the right leader who loves his or her country before self and family, promotes justice, equality, peace, provides internal and external security, economic growth, transparency, jobs, health care, education, housing, social services and decency to its people, should be the only one to be elected.
In the end, let’s not forget, every nation gets the government it deserves (Joseph de Maistre 1753 –1821).
I think we deserve better and perhaps the best!
We hope and pray that this time Armenia will get a government that promotes justice and equality for all its citizens and is free from corruption.
Garbis Korajian
In the end, let’s not forget, every nation gets the government it deserves (Joseph de Maistre 1753 –1821)
If the people sell their votes for 5,000 dream , less than 15 USD, they will definitely deserve the government they will have.
thank you vey much for your concise and sorrowful truth about our great nation. We live in hope.
According to some public opinion, the bribe amount has gone up: Kocharyan $ 100, Zaroukyan $ 200. There is also talk that the voters who accepted bribes are supposed to photograph their ballot just to prove to their masters that they voted for them. Based on this, cameras/phones should not be allowed at voting locations. This will allow them to vote freely while pocketing their bribe. I am being facetious. Gabe, you predicted a very dismal result for this election with Pashinyev and Russo Kochi in the lead. I hope nationalist hayrenaser forces will have a chance if the Kremlin allows.
Informative, reasonable, and excellent article. Pashinian denounced endemic corruption in the government; he was imprisoned, abused, and persecuted but he persevered in his pursuit of reform in our beloved Armenia. He succeeded! He kicked out an entrenched and corrupt government! The man has backbone made of steel. He took giant steps to stamp out corruption, he improved morale in our heroic army, purchased weaponry… But he did not have time to prepare for the war… We are all grieving the terrible loss of our young men, actually our own children and grand children… Blaming him for our loss during the 40-day war is wrong headed. I blame the clique that ganged up to attack us… Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, and the variety of terrorists from Syria, Pakistan, and all over the world… We are going to overcome and prosper! We are going to rebuild!