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The outcomes of the upcoming early parliamentary elections in Armenia are certainly predetermined against the backdrop of the euphoria dominating the society, former President Robert Kocharyan said in an interview to Lenta.ru Russian news agency.   

“Some part of the electorate in Armenia is in a state of euphoria today and is not ready for a substantial debate. This points to increasing risks of a wrong decision making,” he said.

Commenting on Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s recent resignation as PM and the developments that followed, Kocharyan stressed he had no doubts that “they would stage this show to call early elections.” 

“There is nothing surprising about it given the fact that the other political forces failed to demonstrate the necessary political will to team up to prevent all this,” Kocharyan noted.

Asked whether he expects the elections to put an end to the ‘current instability in the country or to herald the beginning of a new turmoil’, Kocharyan says they mark a ‘turning point’ for Armenia.

“The prime minister is consolidating power that will lead to the formation of a one-party parliament to be fully dominated by one political force. I don’t think such a situation can secure a long-lasting stability. All the other political parties have stated that they are not ready for such a scenario,” he said.

Asked whether he is ready to head the developing opposition in Armenia, he said: “I have serious grounds to worry about Armenia's future. It motivates me to somehow influence these processes. How much I will succeed will become clear through the course of time, but I think my past, present and the experience I have allow me to play a significant role in the Armenian politics.”