ArmInfo. "No one has the right to divide Yerevan residents into black and white," former Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan wrote on his Facebook page, referring to the recent statement by the candidate for the mayor of Yerevan from the "My Step" bloc, Hayk Marutyan, who stated that everyone who elects him are "white", and the rest are "black."
Sargsyan noted that regardless of how disappointed the society of Armenia was by the previous government, no matter how strong in the society is the belief in the future and regardless of whether the new government will justify the hopes of the people, no one has the right to divide people on black and white. The ex-defense minister said in particular: "Already at the beginning of your election campaign, you demonstrated your political incompetence and low moral standards." A politician who is concerned about the future of the city and the country, even in case of a real breakdown in society, should make every possible effort to avoid such a situation. And the creation of new barriers is the fate of weak, arrogant, insecure people who do not care about society.
There are so many people who want to believe Nikol Pashinyan, but consider your nomination for the post of mayor as his biggest mistake. Many of them may think that you do not have enough knowledge and experience to manage the capital. And for others, perhaps another candidate, represented in the election campaign, is more persuasive. Some will prefer not giving their vote to "a man in hair curlers," Sargsyan said. Also, the former defense minister stressed that there are many honest people who absolutely do not share the vision of Nikol Pashinyan's future, and in particular his personnel policy, but this in no way makes them "black." "Thus, such a statement is also a serious problem in terms of spreading democratic values in our country, strengthening institutions and holding free elections.
''Your behavior is offensive, not only for other participants of the election campaign, but for the entire society, including those who for one reason or another wanted to vote for you. Obviously, you have learned how to assemble, through your tasteless and outdated TV series, by which you have already caused harm to numerous Armenian children. In public policy, you need to be responsible for your words and know that all attempts to hide public statements are a sign of weakness.. Do you sincerely believe that the person who does not intend to choose you is "black"? Do you really consider yourself, even the language does not turn to say, "the guy" from the series? "- Sargsyan wonders.
In conclusion, Vigen Sargsyan noted that he does not know whether Marutyan's associates have explained to him or not, but his election campaign is bad, and that a self-respecting candidate, in such a situation, would see only one way out - to announce self-disqualificaton. "Perhaps another candidate from the list understands the election campaign better: not everyone is allowed to manage the city, which is 2800 years old," concluded the ex-defense minister. To note, on September 2 during the election campaign to the Council of Elders of Yerevan, the candidate from My Step bloc, headed by the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, comedian Hayk Marutyan said that there are no games against their team and those who do not elect him are "black". For this statement, Marutyan was severely criticized in social networks. Marutyan's opponents for the post of the head of Yerevan also subjected him to criticism. In particular, the candidate for mayor from the Prosperous Armenia party Naira Zohrabyan reminded him how sad was the end of the representatives of the former ruling regime, also saying that "there is no game".