ArmInfo. The chances of the Yelk (way out) bloc to overcome the 7% threshold at the upcoming parliamentary elections are much higher than those of Seyran Ohanyan`s bloc, Deputy Director of the Caucasus Institute Sergey Minasyan has told ArmInfo.
"I think Yelk will overcome the minimum threshold to get seats in the Parliament. The given bloc consists of relatively 'pure' parties Enlightened Armenia, Republic Party and Civil Contract Party headed by Edmon Marukyan, Aram Sargsyan and Nikol Pashinyan respectively. Yelk has a positive image for the voters," he says.
At the same time, all these politicians are trying to occupy the niche of pro-Western opposition that has been available in the Armenian political system since 2003-2004. Minasyan thinks this also gives additional chances to Yelk.
"I cannot say the same about the chances of Seyran Ohanyan's bloc that includes ex-foreign minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian, ex-deputy head of the Armenian President Staff Viktor Dallakyan and leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia Aram Sargsyan," he says.
The expert stresses that Seyran Ohanyan and Vartan Oskanian are certainly experienced politicians. However, both of these politicians took an active part in the power structures' activities and this factor is the key reason that causes skepticism about the parliamentary prospects of Seyran Ohanyan's bloc.