ArmInfo. Secretary of the Artsakh National Security Council Vitaly Balasanyan begins consultations for the nomination of Artsakh to the presidency in the 2020 elections. Balasanyan announced this in a conversation with Artsakhpress.
According to him, consultations will be held with representatives of parliamentary and extra-parliamentary parties, public organizations, and activists. He also intends to discuss this issue with the residents of Stepanakert and the regions. "I have already said that in the event of my nomination I should have the support of the broad public masses," Balasanyan said. He stressed that during the discussions he will present a number of programs to improve the socio-economic condition of the republic and improve its security. "If I feel that the people support my initiative, then, undoubtedly, I will run for the presidency of Artsakh," Balasanyan said.
To note, NKR former Defense Minister Samvel Babayan intends to fight for the presidency of Artsakh, who was previously convicted for attempting to assassinate the second president of the republic Arkady Ghukasyan and later for an attempt to smuggle from Georgia to Armenia MANPADS <Igla>. But, according to the Constitution of Artsakh, the candidate for the presidency should live in the republic for the last 10 years, but Babayan, due to circumstances, does not pass this qualification. In this regard, Babayan with his supporters intends to initiate constitutional reforms before the presidential elections.
The Democratic Party, headed by the current speaker of the Artsakh parliament, Ashot Ghulyan, will also present a candidate in the presidential election. Head of the party faction Vardges Baghiryan stated this. However, he did not specify who exactly the party would nominate for the presidential election, stressing that the congress should decide this question. Nevertheless, former presidential candidate Artsakh, head of the "Free Homeland" party Arayik Harutyunyan is considered the favorite of the presidential race, despite the fact that he has not yet officially announced his intention to run for election. However, in the political circles of Artsakh, initially, immediately after Bako Sahakyan's last election as president of the republic, information was exaggerated that Harutyunyan would be his successor.