Your trusted source

"We have ended up in a situation where the main political forces should come to an agreement over any person. Naturally, we needed a person who was acceptable to everyone. That person is Vazgen Manukyan,” political scientist Stepan Danielyan told Panorama.am, referring to the nomination of Vazgen Manukyan as the joint opposition candidate for the interim prime minister.

According to the political scientist, there is a fundamental issue that has never existed in the Armenian political history: Manukyan has pledged not to run in the next elections, as well as to ensure fair elections.

"Besides, he has experience in managing crisis situations, as well as creating a capable team, as the administration system in Armenia is now collapsed. In this respect, I have a positive attitude towards him," said the political scientist.

Also, Danielyan dismissed criticism of Vazgen Manukyan as unsubstantiated. He deplored the nomination of MP Edmon Marukyan as the caretaker prime minister by his Bright Armenia Party.

“I'm sure we do not need another Nikol [Pashinyan] with the same qualities. We need a strong person around whom there should be a consensus. Edmon Marukyan is not that person,” he said.

Asked whether Marukyan’s nomination won’t further complicate the situation amid two possible scenarios for the replacement of the premier – the parliamentary processes and Pashinyan’s resignation, the political scientist said: "Marukyan does not exist as a candidate. Some of the deputies understand it, while the rest should be explained that with that step they will further deepen the crisis in Armenia and Marukyan will not be accepted by the public as prime minister, he will not be able to change the situation.”

“Secondly, Nikol and Marukyan teamed up to create the Yelk bloc, which called for withdrawal from the CSTO and now, when the political situation is different, they cannot be acceptable partners for Russia. The Russian army has already been deployed in Artsakh and the number of Russian troops is increasing in Armenia. In this regard, I do not think that My Step deputies will commit another act of treachery to the detriment of Armenia’s interests" Danielyan added.

The opposition parties announced on Thursday that the council of 17 political parties has decided to expand its format and establish a Homeland Salvation Front, which is a pan-Armenian movement, comprising of political parties, intellectuals, wide circles of the society. It also named Vazgen Manukyan as its candidate for the post of the prime minister. Manukyan had served as the first Prime Minister of Armenia from 1990 to 1991 and then served as Defense Minister.