RPA ready to assist opposition forces in struggle for change of power  - Serzh Sargsyan

ArmInfo.The decision not to participate in the parliamentary elections does not mean an end to the struggle. This was stated by the leader of the Republican Party  of Armenia (RPA), third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, at the  18th Congress, commenting on the party's executive body's earlier  decision not to participate in the elections.

He noted that this position was dictated, among other things, by the desire not to  further divide the opposition, to give political forces a chance to  fulfill their promises, and to counter the narrative that the former  authorities, through their behavior, are hindering a change of power  in the country.

Sargsyan noted that he is aware that certain members of his team are  unhappy with the party's decision, and that, had it worked properly,  the RPA would have surpassed the required 4% threshold. "But we need  a change of power; we're not interested in the prospect of a few  mandates," the former Armenian president noted. He also assured that  the RPA will continue to be at the forefront of political processes.

The party leader also noted that detailed sociological research shows  that their supporters, almost without exception, are ready to  participate in the elections and vote for the opposition. "That is,  our electorate's votes will not be wasted, but will be given to the  opposition, which will put an end to the reproduction of the current  government. Our ego, tempered by life and struggle, has never  degenerated and never will degenerate into selfishness. This is  unacceptable. I admit that this decision was not easy for us, but at  the same time, I have no doubt that we will never be ashamed of it,"  Sargsyan emphasized.

During his speech, the RPA leader proposed that the opposition take  practical steps in the near future to advance their joint struggle.  In this regard, he recalled two major events scheduled for May: the  European Political Summit and the first Armenia-EU Summit.

The RPA leader noted that recent years have shown that senior  European leaders are unwilling to acknowledge the reality in Armenia.  In this regard, he cited occupied Artsakh, the problems of ethnically  cleansed Artsakh Armenians, the preservation of Artsakh's cultural  heritage, the hostages in Baku prisons, political prisoners in  Yerevan, the illegal attacks and pressure on the Armenian Apostolic  Church, the unprecedented restrictions on freedom of speech, and the  law enforcement and judicial systems subservient to the authorities.

"Europeans prefer to ignore all this," Sargsyan said, noting that  joint efforts are needed to present this reality of democracy in  Armenia to the several dozen delegations arriving in Armenia.

Sargsyan also said that there is currently much discussion about the  need to motivate citizens to participate in the upcoming elections to  overthrow the current regime. Until June 7 (the day of the  parliamentary elections - Ed.), the RPA will focus, among other  things, on motivating citizens through various events, information  campaigns, and meetings.

Sargsyan also noted that some opposition representatives, despite  their statements excluding cooperation with the ruling party, are  violating them over time, thereby weakening the opposition. In this  vein, he proposed that, in addition to such statements, the first 30  members of the election list sign corresponding memoranda pledging  not to cooperate with the capitulatory regime.