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 “Today we have a powerful government, today we have an opposition, which doesn’t allow the authorities to weaken their alertness, and through the cooperation we can grant major success to our country.”

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan appeared with an unprecedented statement on April 27, which aspires to become historical. Moreover, it has several reasons to become a historical statement.

In the history of newly independent Armenia, in fact, it’s the first time when the government on its highest rank recognizes the opposition – its subsistence and its right of subsistence.

Serzh Sargsyan used to make a similar statement on March 12 in Tsaghkadzor during a briefing and the steps done are evident that we deal with neither a simple rhetoric nor intention, but a definite political action. This is something new from the point of view both the political culture and the content of the political process.

The other innovation is again connected with the above mentioned quote. The definition underlines that the authorities take into consideration the opposition. To be short, we’d like to fix that those systems which reject the democracy; the governments not only reject the right of subsistence of the opposition but ignore its demands irrespective of any public interests and expectations. While the government’s readiness to listen to the criticism of the opposition (both demands and recommendations) is an innovation.

The third significant point is the record of the fact that country’s development can be guaranteed via healthy political processes. In the underdeveloped systems, as a rule, the scope of the guarantees of the progress is limited by the government only, and the other attendees in the process are considered to be traitors and conspirators. The definition is true for newly independent Armenia as well. While President of Armenia has defined another approach by his statement.

Actually, the head of the state has put forth efforts through his activities and remarks to found a political system in Armenia, and has launched its base by his statement. To have its superstructure the participants of the political process, the parliamentary and non-parliamentary forces, need to fulfill adequate steps.

Referring to the Parliamentary forces ARF and “Heritage”, though not having underestimated their role, we consider it untimely to discuss them. Even though these forces have performed some extremely critical role, they are a part of the system. Whereas, outside of the walls of the parliament, Armenian National Congress (ANC/HAK) is endangered to be left out of the system. In this respect, HAK’s disposition is of great significance.

During Serzh Sargsyan’s presidency, the critical moment to demonstrate that HAK is far away from the system was March 1 rally, where the opposition forces appeared with threatening speeches.

The situation let off steam in Tsaghkadzor, where Serzh Sargsyan made his remarks. President, in fact, acknowledged that outside of the parliament there is a serious political power, he advised to avoid from the mistakes of the past and urged to hold a civilized struggle for the power.

The response soon followed the advice. Levon Ter-Petrosyan has given his preference on March 17 to the chess. Statements and activities followed it, which were intended to guide HAK to the political system. It’s important to mention that on April 8 rally Levon Ter-Petrosyan, while speaking of his demands, used the word “president” for the first time in address to Serzh Sargsyan.

In the aftermath of all those process, we may have a normal political system in Armenia. So now we have the process, and need to make it institutionalized. In this respect, the government chaired by President Serzh Sargsyan has done it and the opposition is anticipated to.

By the way, the head of the state has also said: “We’re ready to be the first, we’re ready to act the first and I’ve recommended the minister of justice to appear with suggestions.”

The statement can be interpreted differently. But, surely, it grants a chance to the non-parliamentary opposition to found a political system. It’s indeed a very significant moment for the future of Armenia how the leaders of our opposition will use the chance.