Adibekian: Ratings of BHK, HAK and Heritage will fall

Political forces are preparing for the elections to Yerevan Council of Elders, while Heritage party is trying to show there is a national crisis now. The election results will impact the further political developments: if Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) loses, the outcome of the last presidential elections will be called into question, but if the balance is maintained, then the opposition’s ambitions to present Raffi Hovannisian as the fourth president of Armenia will be baseless. Director of Socipometer center Aharon Adibekian made this statement at a meeting with reporters.

He said that Gurgen Arsenian, who is a businessman and deals with social problems as a deputy of the National Assembly, should have led the list of Prosperous Armenia party (BHK). In Adibekian’s words, Armen Martirosian who leads Heritage Party’s list does not stand a chance because he is not a notable figure in any field. As for former Yerevan Mayor Vahagn Khachatrian of Armenian National Congress (HAK), Adibekian said that according to a survey carried out by Sociometer in December, few people remember him.

Armen Yeritsian’s rating, who is number one of the list of Orinats Yerkir Party (OEK), has risen after he became Minister of Emergency Situations, and the public has a high opinion of him.

Ratings of BHK, HAK, and Heritage Parties are likely to fall in the upcoming elections because their lists are not led by their leaders: Gagik Tsarukian, Levon-Ter-Petrosian, and Raffi Hovannisian, respectively. Incumbent Mayor Taron Margarian’s ratings have risen during his term, with positive changes made in Yerevan, as many of surveyed Yerevan residents said.

Aharon Adibekian noted that BHK and HHK will be the main rivals during the elections. A question arises: how the opposition votes received by Raffi Hovannisian in the last presidential election will be redistributed? In the opinion of Adibekian, Raffi Hovannisian will receive a maximum of 10% of votes in the upcoming elections.

ARFD and OEK will have problems overcoming the 6% threshold because most of their voters are from provinces. A December survey showed that 47% of respondents were ready to vote in the elections to Yerevan Council.