ArmInfo. Last week, pre-election campaign for presidential and parliamentary elections started in Artsakh. Candidates presented their approaches and programs, and also held meetings with voters.
In particular, Arayik Harutyunyan, presidential candidate from the Free Homeland party, spoke about his election program on his Facebook page. According to Harutyunyan's program, strengthening the Artsakh defense army is necessary, the settlement of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani conflict should proceed from the interests of the NKR people and from their security. "Our ultimate goal is the international recognition of Artsakh. Everyone is equal before the law and we intend to fight corruption consistently. Changes will also be made in healthcare and education. Special attention will be paid to repatriation and democratic sectors. A consistent increase in pensions, benefits and salaries is also provided. Attention will also be paid to sports and healthcare, " Harutyunyan's program notes. One of the priority areas in the Harutyunyan program is the development of the agricultural sector.
Vitaliy Balasanyan, a candidate from the Justice party, emphasized the inadmissibility of an environment of injustice and social polarization. In particular, the presidential candidate said: "Such an environment in the country can lead to disappointment and pessimism. This is the reason that many of our compatriots left the country. This situation is unacceptable and we need radical changes," he stressed. Balasanyan noted that he is ready to unite all healthy forces for the implementation of programs that were developed with the participation of highly qualified specialists. "We intend to present our program in the fight against corruption, as well as in the field of security and the economy," the latter emphasized, saying that he also intends to solve problems in the social sector. According to Balasanyan, it is required to increase the size of the minimum pension and salary. " I think that the minimum pension should be 60,000 drams, and the minimum wage should be 100,000 drams," the NKR Presidential candidate stressed.
In turn, the presidential candidate, Artsakh Foreign Minister Masis Mayilyan said that he would like to emphasize the need for civilized competition and the inadmissibility of insulting the dignity of political opponents. "Once again I urge all political forces and all candidates to abandon the fake war and various manipulations. It should be understood that times have changed, and that the only way to be taken seriously and have a perspective is to get out of the shadow in every sense of the word and compete fairly. I start the campaign with a clear conscience and with the same expectation from others, "the NKR Foreign Minister stressed.
Speaker of the Artsakh parliament, presidential candidate from the "Artsakh Democratic Party" party Ashot Ghulyan at a meeting with voters with presented his program on demographic improvement of the situation in the republic. "According to the program, we intend to increase payments for the birth of a second and subsequent children up to 1.500.000 drams. And mothers who care for 3 children will be allocated a benefit in the amount of the minimum wage," said Ghulyan. Regarding the foreign policy of the country, Ghulyan said that for the "Democratic Party" of Artsakh the priority is the international recognition of the NKR, as well as the expansion of international relations of the republic.
Press Secretary of the NKR President, candidate from the "Conservative Party of Artsakh" David Babayan stated that it is necessary to make the future of the country better. "For this, it is necessary to choose experienced leaders. We intend to protect the interests of our people. We are all opponents, but should not become enemies. I urge our people to be active and believe in our strength. I believe that we need to develop our army and take up strengthening our country and recognizing its independence, as well as creating a more just society, "he said.
David Ishkhanyan, a candidate from the Dashnaktsutyun party, said: "according to the party's program, balanced development of Artsakh's settlements is necessary, in case of 3-4 children's birth, the state should allocate an amount of 3-4 million drams, housing should also be allocated for military personnel.
It should be noted that on March 31 presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Artsakh. The current NKR President Bako Sahakyan does not intend to take part in the elections, and did not "leave" his successor. Thus, 14 candidates immediately aspire to the post of President of Artsakh.
In particular, for the post of head of Artsakh will aspire: Ruslan Israelyan from the Generation of Independence party, Vitaly Balasanyan from the Justice party, Masis Mayilyan (self-nominated), Sergey Amiryan (self-nominated), David Babayan from the Conservative Artsakh Party, David Ishkhanyan ARF "Dashnaktsutyun", Ashot Ghulyan "Democratic Party of Artsakh", Kristin Balayan (self-nominated), Hayk Khanumyan from the "National Revival" party, Arayik Harutyunyan bloc of "Free Homeland-United Civil Block"parties, Bella Lalayan (self-nominated), Melsik Poghosyan (self-nominated) Ashot Dadayan (self- nominated ", Vahan Badasyan from the" United Armenia "party.