Armen Martirosian: Freedom of citizens is most important problem

“We expect that on May 5 Armenian citizens – despite the pressure and bribes – will reaffirm their right to elect and we will have a Council of Elders, elected by a majority of the votes and composed of representatives of Hello Yerevan bloc of parties”, Armen Martirosian, who is number one on the Hello Yerevan bloc’s list, stated at a meeting with reporters today, prior to the start of their election campaign in Shengavit administrative district of the city.

Armen Martirosian enumerated the problems of Yerevan and its residents such as the condition of city streets and buildings’ lifts, roofs, and entrances. Yet, he pointed out the “problem related to freedom of citizens” as the most important one.

Martirosian said he is not worried about the participation of opposition and pseudo-opposition parties in the Yerevan elections.

“We welcome the participation and struggle of any opposition force. In any circumstances, they are not our rivals. The authorities were and continue to be our rivals. For that reason we will struggle to ensure victory at the expense of the authorities,” Martirosian stated.

When discussing the possible unification of the opposition after the election, Martirosian noted that first of all, it is necessary to clarify who is the opposition - “those who fight against the authorities or those who fight against the opposition”.

He, however, did not rule out cooperation, adding that Heritage Party has never had any problems with names, but the problem has to do with the issues discussed and the methods proposed.