Your trusted source

By the decision of the Armenian government, political scientist Styopa Safaryan has been appointed Chairman of the Public Council.

He is set to replace Vazgen Manukyan, who stepped down as head of the council in November.

In a statement announcing his resignation, Manukyan said the Armenian leadership chose a different direction of the country's development instead of consolidating the nation around issues of common relevance.

“Today, we have an unprecedented degree of hatred and distrust in the country, an extreme division in the society. This is the case in a situation when the world and our region have changed with new threats and challenges to our security and Artsakh,” Manukyan said, adding instead of addressing the current pressing topics, the authorities continue discussing initiatives and making steps which are aimed to further spit the public.

Among such initiatives Manukyan pointed to the idea of transitional justice, the legislation to seize property without court ruling, the reforms in the education sector, the solution of political goals using the judiciary among other things.

After his resignation, Manukyan founded the ‘Vernatun’ club binging together representatives of various political forces, public, cultural and political figures, as well as scholars.