YEREVAN -- Armenia's first president, the leader of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) opposition union Levon Ter-Petrossian, says he will not run for president in February 2013.
Ter-Petrossian, who will be 68 in January, says his age is the main reason for not running.
In an interview published on December 25, he told the "Chorord Ishkhanutyun" (Fourth Power) opposition newspaper that "the optimal age for a candidate is from 40 to 60, thus someone more young and energetic has to try."
He again described President Serzh Sarkisian's administration as "criminals who seized power."
The Armenian National Congress has not yet decided if it will support any of the candidates in the February 2013 election.
Another opposition leader and potential challenger, the business tycoon Gagik Tsarukian, has said he will not run and his Prosperous Armenia Party will not support any of candidates.
Ter-Petrossian, who will be 68 in January, says his age is the main reason for not running.
In an interview published on December 25, he told the "Chorord Ishkhanutyun" (Fourth Power) opposition newspaper that "the optimal age for a candidate is from 40 to 60, thus someone more young and energetic has to try."
He again described President Serzh Sarkisian's administration as "criminals who seized power."
The Armenian National Congress has not yet decided if it will support any of the candidates in the February 2013 election.
Another opposition leader and potential challenger, the business tycoon Gagik Tsarukian, has said he will not run and his Prosperous Armenia Party will not support any of candidates.