Russian Armenians are far from being involved in domestic political life, political analyst Viktor Konoplyev told Tert.am.
Armenians have focused their attention on their narrow national problems and are afraid of raising their problems at a high level, at the State Duma, for example.
Mr Konoplyev, what kind of parliament has been formed as a result of the September 19 parliamentary elections in Russia? Are Armenians represented there?
I have examined the lists of candidates nominated by the participating parties. No Armenian name could be found in the lists of the Homeland party, People’s Freedom Party, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) or the Communist party. Two Armenian candidates were in the lists of the United Russia party, six candidates in the lists of the ‘A Just Russia’ party, one candidate in the Russian United Democratic Party “Yabloko” lists, two in the Party of Pensioners of Russia lists, and three in the Russian Nationalists party lists.
Four of the parties got into the State Duma: United Russia, Communist party, LDPR led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, and A Just Russia. The Homeland and the Political Platform parties have one representative each as well. At best, eight Armenians can get into Russia’s State Duma. The exact figure can hardly be cited because the parties have not yet released their lists.
The problem is that Russian Armenians, who have hundreds of organizations are withdrawing from Russia’s domestic politics. They have thus focused their attention on their national problems and are afraid of raising their problems at a high level, at the State Duma, for example.
The chairman of Armenia’s Central Electoral Commission (CEC) on Friday addressed September 18 local government polls which he described as absolutely free, fair and transparent.
Gagik Sargsyan from the opposition Civil Contract party won regional elections in Nor Kyank community in Armenia’s Aragatsotn province.
Local elections are taking place in 317 communities of the Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Syunik and Tavush regions of Armenia. Polling stations opened at 8:00am.