Parade of party conventions begins

Ahead of the upcoming presidential election, Armenia’s political parties have begun holding conventions in order to inform the public about the format of their participation in the election, their programs, positions and work to be done.

The parade of conventions is opened by the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) whose convention will take place tomorrow at the Demirchian Sport and Concert Complex. In all likelihood, tomorrow Republicans will announce their participation in the election, as well as their decision to field HHK Chairman, President Serzh Sargsyan as presidential candidate.

The HHK convention will be followed by those of Heritage and Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) Parties, whose conventions are scheduled for December 22. As is known, at its convention Orinats Yerkir will state that in accordance with the memorandum signed in 2011, it will back the incumbent president in the upcoming presidential election. As for Heritage party, it will field the party leader Raffi Hovannnisian as its candidate.

On the same day, December 22 the conventions of the Armenian National Movement led by Aram Manukian and Republic Party led by Aram Zaven Sargsyan will be held.

The convention of Freedom Party led by former Prime Minister Hrant Bagratian is due on December 23.

The dates of the ARFD’s Supreme Assembly and the convention of Free Democrats Party are still unknown.

Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) will not hold a convention: quite recently the party announced that it will neither run in the presidential election nor support any of the candidates.

According to the timetable, the registration of candidates will be carried out on January 4-14, while the elections campaigns will be conducted on January 21 – February 16.

The presidential election will be held on February 18, 2013.