Political monopoly is main reason for complex situation in Armenia

“The main reason for the current complex situation in Armenia is the political monopoly. Everyone, except the authorities, speaks about it. It should be noted that the elimination of this monopoly and the creation of a system of checks and balances between the braches of power became the main guarantee of cooperation of non-governmental forces, “the deputy of Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) parliamentary faction Vartan Oskanian wrote on his Facebook page. Oskanian leads the BHK list of candidates in the May 5 elections to Yerevan Council of Elders.

“After receiving the levers of governance in Yerevan, we will take the first important step towards the creation of this system of checks and balances in the political system of the country, without which it is simply impossible to establish democracy and ensure economic development in the republic,” Vartan Oskanian wrote.

In his opinion, Armenia should use the government model proposed by the English philosopher John Locke. V. Oskanian notes that according to Locke, the purpose of the existence and activities of authorities is to protect the interests of citizens, and if the authorities fail to do it, citizens have to right to change them. “These ideas of Locke form the basis of all democratic constitutions. The same can be said about Armenia, the only difference is that the ideas remain on paper,” Oskanian wrote.
He underlines the necessity to determine and evaluate anew the role of the opposition in Armenia.

“In order to create an efficient system of checks and balances, a strong opposition with a clear alternative ideological program is needed - an opposition that always strives for power, but is also ready to defend national interests and conduct a dialog with political opponents for solution of the problems facing the country,” a Vartan Oskanian wrote.

“Today, taking into account the political situation in the country and the possible domestic political developments in the coming years, especially the fact that BHK, while not proclaiming itself opposition, has assumed such a role, I believe (this is my personal opinion) that BHK should change its political status and proclaim itself an opposition party at the beginning of the September session.

I am convinced that the country, the political system, and, eventually, citizens will benefit from it,” Oskanian concludes.