YEREVAN -- A leading member of Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian's party says he will seek a second term in the next presidential election due in 2013, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.
Galust Sahakian, who leads the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) faction in parliament, said on April 2 at a news conference that Sarkisian's track record in power is already "satisfactory" enough for him to be reelected.
He added that "[the opposition leaders] are not fighting inside the society. They are only saying, 'You guys leave power and let us get it because we miss
power.'"
Parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian, another senior HHK politician, said in December that Sarkisian -- who was elected in February 2008 amid opposition allegations of vote rigging -- would run again in 2013.
Abrahamian vowed to "do everything to help him get elected" as he dismissed rumors that he is seeking a more important position in the country by teaming up with former President Robert Kocharian to undercut Sarkisian.
Kocharian has recently fuelled more talk of his alleged desire to return to power by criticizing the government's economic policies.
"It is unlikely that [former President] Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian will both stand [in the election]," Sahakian insisted. He said Sarkisian is successfully ensuring "continuity" in the government's policies.
Sahakian also dismissed as "empty dreams" opposition claims that Armenia may well see fresh presidential and parliamentary elections soon.
Galust Sahakian, who leads the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) faction in parliament, said on April 2 at a news conference that Sarkisian's track record in power is already "satisfactory" enough for him to be reelected.
He added that "[the opposition leaders] are not fighting inside the society. They are only saying, 'You guys leave power and let us get it because we miss
power.'"
Parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian, another senior HHK politician, said in December that Sarkisian -- who was elected in February 2008 amid opposition allegations of vote rigging -- would run again in 2013.
Abrahamian vowed to "do everything to help him get elected" as he dismissed rumors that he is seeking a more important position in the country by teaming up with former President Robert Kocharian to undercut Sarkisian.
Kocharian has recently fuelled more talk of his alleged desire to return to power by criticizing the government's economic policies.
"It is unlikely that [former President] Robert Kocharian and Serzh Sarkisian will both stand [in the election]," Sahakian insisted. He said Sarkisian is successfully ensuring "continuity" in the government's policies.
Sahakian also dismissed as "empty dreams" opposition claims that Armenia may well see fresh presidential and parliamentary elections soon.
