Republican MP: Ex-mayor of Gyumri has exhausted his resources

• Thursday, August 16, 17:38

The upcoming elections to the self-government will hardly differ from the previous elections by their quality and public perception. The only exception is, probably, the election of Gyumri Mayor, Khosrov Haroutiunyan, MP representing the ruling Republican Party faction, Leader of the Christian-Democratic Union, told media on August 16.

In the second largest town of Armenia there is a serious public activity thanks to the public movement "We Are the Owners of Our Town". This circumstance may greatly contribute to real political competition during elections, he said.

Asked about RPA's decision to support the candidature of Samvle Balasanyan, a member of Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) Haroutiunyan said that despite PAP's decision not to join the ruling coalition, RPA- PAP cooperation is always possible.

"The given statement is applicable also to the situation with the Gyumri mayor election. I think that the ex- mayor of Gyumri Vardan Ghukasyan has exhausted his resources," he said.

The parliamentarian does not think it terrible that RPA "loses" Gyumri after yielding its positions in Ijevan.

"The given circumstance will in no way weaken RPA's positions at the upcoming presidential election. I am sure that during the presidential election most of the voters in Gyumri will support the incumbent president, because quite different criteria will determine their choice," he said.

At present four candidates run for the post of the mayor: Hovsep Simonyan (ARFD), Samvel Balasanyan (PAP), and non-party men Spartak Petrosyan and Andranik Avetisyan.