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Hassan Rouhani has been re-elected as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Rouhani overwhelmingly won the majority of votes cast on Friday by Iranians and was re-elected as the new president of the country, IRNA reported.
According to Iranian Internal Ministry, he got 59% or 22 million 800 thousands votes.
The voter turnout exceeded 70 percent.
The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) on Friday decided to impeach its president who has been under fire since March over a controversial visit to Syria.
Pedro Agramunt (EPP Group), who is also widely perceived as a pro-Azerbaijani lobbyist, was expected to announce his resignation on Friday in accordance with the established rules of procedure. But the Assembly Bureau had to impeach him in absentia as he didn’t attend the Spring Session, Samvel Farmanyan, a member of the Armenian national delegation, told Tert.am.
He added that the Assembly will have to pass an urgent measure to sack Agramunt if he persists demonstrating an evasive behavior.
“The PACE has now ‘initiated’ a backstage political plan. With no other choice left, the only thing to do is to persuade Pedro Agramunt’s family not to receive him in Spain,” Farmanyan said, describing the recent developments as a political disgrace.
He added that Agramut’s conduct will be on the agenda of the EPP General Assembly set to be held in Brussels.
The proposal to impeach him received support by 27 Assembly members; only three, including Spanish and Azerbaijani representatives, refrained from voting.
Agramunt has repeatedly faced criticism for covering up the human rights abuses in Azerbaijan in return for valuable gifts from the country’s ruling clan (President Ilham Aliyev’s family).
Projections indicate Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic won a decisive win against a crowded field of opponents. Serbia’s presidency is largely ceremonial, but critics worry Vucic may use the role to consolidate his power.
Serbia Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic looked set to sweep a first round presidential election on Sunday, coming in with 56 percent of votes, according to a result projection by the Ipsos polling group.
“Voters showed which way they want Serbia to go,” Vucic said at his Progressive Party’s headquarters.
“Serbia will remain on the European and reformist path, but also friends with Russia and China.”
Declaring his victory, Vucic said he will remain prime minister another two months, until he takes over as the head of state. In his speech, Vucic went on to voice “particular gratitude” to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who both met with him over the last month.
If the projection holds above 50 percent, the 47-year-old conservative will have avoided an April 16 run-off. Official results are not expected until Monday.
Ipsos projected former ombudsman Sasa Jankovic to get 15 percent of the vote. Twenty-five year old student Luka Maksimovic, more commonly known as Ljubisa Preletacevic or Beli, came in in third with 9.3 percent, a surprise for a candidate who based his campaign on mocking Serbian politicians.
Accusations of authoritarian tendencies
The office of president is largely ceremonial, but analysts expect Vucic to maintain a hold on power by appointing a loyal ally from his party to succeed him as prime minister.
Critics have accused Vucic of authoritarian tendencies during the campaign, saying he has taken control over Serbia’s media. They complain of inaccurate reports that demonize the prime minister’s opponents while giving them no space to respond to the accusations.
Vucic’s supporters, on the other hand, say he has a good track record of keeping the country under control in a troubled region. He has promised economic and social reforms while maintaining a balancing act of trying to join the EU and maintaining a good relationship with traditional ally Russia.
The State Election Commission said they recorded no serious voting irregularities.
ksb/rc (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan started the second day of his working visit to the Kingdom of Belgium by visiting the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Brussels.
Hosted at this prestigious research institution, President Sargsyan met with the experts of the Center. The moderator of the meeting, a scientific researcher of the Carnegie Endowment Stephen Lehne, who has been studying the EU foreign policy developments and relations among the member states since the Lisbon Agreement, presented Serzh Sargsyan to the audience.
President Serzh Sargsyan made a statement and answered questions raised by the participants of the event. The audience was interested in Armenia’s foreign and internal policies, as well as in the RA President’s viewpoints and assessments on the regional and international pressing issues.
Distinguished Mr. Lehne, Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honor of course for me to speak at the event held at the Brussels office of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. I am here for the first time but I recall warmly my meetings and discussions held at the Carnegie headquarters in Washington, D.C. Reputable platforms such as this one, on one hand provide the opportunity to present the logic behind the developments taking place in our country, and on the other hand, we learn from the very source about the latest expert analysis, estimates, and approaches.
Finally, the very idea of international peace, which is laid in the basis of this Endowment, is the objective that has always attracted the entire civilized world.
Distinguished Colleagues,
Andrew Carnegie once said, “Teach a man to be a good citizen and you have solved the problem of life.” A good citizen is indisputably a guarantee of the success for a state. The more mature and informed the civil society is, the more efficient the state structures are. Strong civil society, along with the separation of powers, is one of the best mechanisms for checks and balances.
That was the driving force behind the process of constitutional reforms we initiated in our country, and it has been going on for over two years. The amended Constitution has defined more precisely the authority framework for different branches of power, stressing the respect for human rights and making the voice of people heard in all areas. As a result, in our country has already commenced the process of building such a political system in which the influential actors will be not the individuals but political forces, political institutions. Enlargement of political parties and formation of political coalitions is going on in Armenia at this moment; that is a welcome development, and we have been striving to achieve that. Political parties are getting consolidated as stable institutes; smaller parties are disappearing or merging together.
For Armenia, to amend the Constitution was a bold step aimed on one side to the decentralization of the government, on the other hand – at the strengthening of the legal and constitutional order, which will allow to eradicate unacceptable manifestations of the post-Soviet flaws, decrease the corruption risks and provide the best possible conditions to move the country forward on the path of sustainable development.
See full address
Germany’s parliamentary assembly has elected Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, as the country’s president, CNN reported.
The source reminds that the position of president in Germany is largely ceremonial, because the chancellor is the official head of government and has a higher profile on the world stage.
Steinmeier previously served as vice chancellor and foreign minister under current Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He was elected by the vast majority of the assembly, receiving 931 out of 1,253 votes. His predecessor, Joachim Gauck, did not seek another term and will step down on March 18.
“This country for many in the world has become an anchor of hope,” Steinmeier said after his election. “We give others courage, not because everything is good, but because we have shown that it can be better,” he said.
Levon Ter-Petrosyan (Photo: hraparak.am)
By
It is truly a sad reality that Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s name remains a relevant part of the Armenian political vernacular.
The first President of Armenia’s current Republic, who was forced to resign in 1998—two years after the first recorded rigged elections since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991—recently spoke at the Armenian National Congress’s convention, where he accepted to lead his party’s ticket in the upcoming Parliamentary elections scheduled for April 2017.
“Ter-Petrosyan the President” was noteworthy as arguably the most unpatriotic of leaders Armenia has ever had, while at the same time being a dream for foreign powers wanting to influence the future of Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh/NKR).
First, to the delight of these foreign powers, he displayed an open preparedness to hand back Armenian-liberated Artsakh territories without any prerequisite acknowledgement of independence. This act of benevolence would be in exchange for “peace” and “good neighborly relations” with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Second, to pave his path to deliver such an unacceptable policy to the Armenian world, he expelled the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and imprisoned the party’s members. This was despite the fact that the ARF was and remains the largest political party in the seven million-strong Armenian diaspora.
Finally, his falling out with Artsakh war veterans (including his successor Robert Kocharyan), who were gaining additional political influence in Armenia, led to his forced resignation.
Ter-Petrosyan, reincarnated once again (the last incarnation led to the deadly protests of 2011), rose to the podium his party’s convention, to outline the Armenian National Congress’s policies for the Parliamentary elections. His leadership of the Congress ticket means that he would become Prime Minister should his party win in April 2017—a position that would be critical by April 2018, when the Presidency evolves into a mere ceremonial role under Armenia’s adopted constitutional reforms.
For this return to political life, one would have thought that Ter-Petrosyan would have learned from his past experiences. One would have hoped that he would have a better reading of his constituents’ will after the unification of the Armenian world when Azerbaijan attacked Artsakh in April.
Well, if one thought and hoped for these things, one would have been very disappointed after listening to his 57-minute speech.
In this speech addressed to party faithful, Ter-Petrosyan decided to defend his legacy, particularly his “peace now” initiative, which was peace with Azerbaijan regardless of the cost of independence for Artsakh.
He said: “Had we gone down the path we suggested in 1997, which is the same proposal currently on the table [by major powers at the insistence of Azerbaijan], we would be living in a prosperous Armenia today…. The day after signing such an agreement, our relations with Turkey would be back on track with open borders. We would have no fear of war.”
According to Ter-Petrosyan, the proposal suggested in 1997 and again on the table today for President Serge Sarkisian to consider, is the return of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic to the state of Azerbaijan. This would ensure a return to diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and a subsequent negotiation for what comes next.
The best case scenario of “what comes next” for Armenians is apparently a future referendum on an unspecified date, which would grant Artsakh some level of autonomy ultimately under Azerbaijan’s rule. Or, if the Armenian side is very lucky, the referendum could grant Artsakh the independence that it currently already has.
Luck, however, will likely not come to fruition, as Azerbaijan will seek to include Azeri votes to skew the results of any such referendum towards its favor.
Ter-Petrosyan added: “The primary reason that citizens are emigrating from Armenia in droves is the threat of continued war rather than the social or economic issues facing the country, such as corruption.”
He dismissed individuals and parties who have a more patriotic approach to the future of Artsakh as “not-one-inch of land-ers” («ոչ մի թիզ հողականներ»), referring to those on the farthest extreme from himself, who say that they refuse to give up any inch of the liberated territories to Azerbaijan. Ter-Petrosyan ignores this group as “impossible dreamers.” He paints himself as the “realist.”
Away from Ter-Petrosyan’s virtual realism and in reality, there is a majority in Armenian public life who sit somewhere in between the two extremes of “Levon the foreign power’s ideal mouthpiece” and the so-called “impossible dreamers who will give up nothing.” The argument in the middle seems to settle on a point that negotiations for land exchange will begin once Azerbaijan has formally recognized the independence of Artsakh. This guarantees Artsakh’s right to self-determination and verifies its current independence.
Despite this being the most consensual position in the public debate, it was not even presented by Ter-Petrosyan in his speech. He preferred to read from the script of the foreign powers, being guided by their petro-dictator partner and serial-butcher of Armenians in Artsakh, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. At one point, Ter-Petrosyan even referred to Aliyev as “a rational-thinking political operator”.
Many may smile in the belief that this diatribe by Ter Petrosyan at his party’s convention tucks him into the corner of irrelevance in the eyes of the Armenian voters. There is definitely an argument to be made there, as most Armenian voters do not trust Ter-Petrosyan and recognize him as the founding father of rigged elections, while a majority have raised their collective voices at any weakness in any Armenian administration’s position regarding Artsakh.
However, Ter-Petrosyan was not pitching to Armenian voters. He was pitching to foreign powers, like the United States and possibly Russia, who would love to have a leader ready to read their scripts when sitting in Armenia’s seat at the Artsakh negotiation table.
While these powers do not get a literal vote in Armenian elections, they have shown they can sway elections in many smaller countries that are not their own. They have been flexing their muscle in Armenia in anticipation to organize and support a leader fitting Ter-Petrosyan’s mold; one who will destroy the liberation of Artsakh with a promise of “peace now, and then perhaps something else later… or perhaps not.”
Ter-Petrosyan is a political virus and one cannot afford to underestimate viruses.
Armenian voters need to be very wary that there are well-resourced foreign players who will do all in their power to turn “Ter-Petrosyan the virus” into “Ter-Petrosyan the epidemic” and therefore “Ter-Petrosyan the Prime Minister” come the April 2017 elections.
Armenia must unequivocally reject Levon Ter-Petrosyan once again, and this time embarrass him into a final, irrecoverable defeat.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned Thursday, November 17 that far-right leader Marine Le Pen had a chance of winning next year’s presidential election, boosted by the momentum of Donald Trump’s shock victory in the United States, AFP reports.
“It’s possible,” Valls said in response to a question at an economic conference in Berlin on whether the candidate of France’s anti-immigration National Front could win in light of the U.S. upset.
“All the opinion polls have the candidate Marine Le Pen making it to the second round” of France’s presidential race in May, the Socialist premier said.
“If she does make it to the second round, she will face either a candidate of the left or the right. This means that the balance of politics will change completely,” he added, warning of “the danger presented by the extreme right”.
There is growing concern in France that the same wave of populist, anti-globalisation anger that carried Trump to the White House and saw Britons vote to leave the EU could hand Le Pen the keys to the Elysee Palace.
“Of course there are risks in France, I am struck by the tone of the public debate,” Valls said, according to AFP.
But he stressed that there were differences between Trump and Le Pen, noting that the American billionaire was the candidate of a mainstream party even though his “speeches and proposals are worrying”.
Valls is suspected of having presidential ambitions himself but has yet to officially throw his hat in the ring to go up against his party’s deeply unpopular head of state Francois Hollande.
YEREVAN. – The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to President-Elect Donald Trump of the United States of America.
“Honorable Mr. Trump,
“Please accept my warmest congratulations on your election as the President of the United States.
“The American people has enthusiastically voted in support of your outstanding leadership qualities, your experience and vision, thus entrusting you with the honorable responsibility to lead the nation. I have no doubt, that under your able leadership the United States will achieve further progress and advancement in the years to come.
“As the United States and Armenia prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. I seize this opportunity to express my gratitude for the substantial support extended by the United States, over the last quarter of a century, to help Armenia build democratic institutions and strengthen its economy.
“In Armenia, we highly value the important role played by the United States, in its capacity as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk group, in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
“I am confident that under your presidency, the Armenia-US close partnership would continue to develop dynamically – expanding and reaching new heights in diverse areas. I also believe that we can continue to count on the active engagement of the Armenian-American community – a strong bridge between our nations.
“As you embark upon your new responsibilities, I would like to assure you and the people of the United States of our continued friendship and sympathy and wish you utmost success in leading your country and the American people to progress and prosperity.
“Please accept, Honorable Mr. Trump, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the Armenian President’s message reads.
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan today addressed a conference entitled “Armenia-25; The World and Women” organized by the Women’s Council of the Republican Party of Armenia.
Sargsyan, who also serves as president of the party, told conference participants that the ruling Republic Party was “a conservative party that wants to preserve and strengthen our traditional family that has always been the invincible guarantor of the Armenian people’s historic existence.”
Sargsyan continued that the woman in Armenian history has always occupied her firm and steadfast place.
“Motherhood, the place and role of the mother in the Armenian family, has always been regarded as a source of life and the holiest of holies,” Sargsyan said.
The Armenian president said that the role and contribution of women is equally important in society.
“We are proud of the achievements of Armenia’s women in all sectors of life, from culture to education and the army, from business to the health field,” Sargsyan said.
The Armenian president, summarizing his party’s firm principle regarding women in society, noted: “Our society is comprised of established women and men. A woman, a successful woman, must always be represented alongside a successful man. We encourage this. It’s our principled position.”
Prior to the presidential election in France, the local Armenian community should decide on its demands, Kayts Minasyan, an expert for a French center for strategic research, told Tert.am.
“The candidates to be nominated by the right- and left-wing parties have not yet been named. But the major candidates have been named – Marine Le Pen, nominated by a radical right-wing political force. It is not yet clear if Nicolas Sarkozy will be nominated by the Republicans. The same can be said about François Hollande, but both are being talked about much,” Mr Minasyan said.
With respect to the issues of importance for the local Armenian community, he noted that France has officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, and the French Senate is now expected to adopt a resolution penalizing the denial of the Armenian Genocide.
“If it happens, the Armenians should demand recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh by France as well. In the case of Nagorno-Karabakh, recognition of its independence is a priority. And the candidates are likely to show their real attitude to the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence during the election campaign,” Mr Minasyan said.
On the threshold of elections, Turkey-France and France-Russia-Turkey relations will be outlined.
“It will also have its impact on the French-Armenian community and Armenians-related issues,” the expert said.
Three political schools are working in France: the pro-government school, Gaullism and Neo-conservatism.
“The first objects to Turkey’s accession to the European Union and does not attach importance to the issue of national minorities. The second attaches importance to development of relations with Turkey and to friendly relations with all other states. The third attaches importance to good relations with all states. The most important is that, taking this all into account, the Armenian community should build up its relations with the three political schools,” Mr Minasyan said.
Speaking of the candidates’ preferences, he said:
“François Hollande, who represents the left-wing political forces, will always lay emphasis on the Armenian Genocide and be involved in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process. He is seeking peace between Armenian and Azerbaijanis. Maintaining good relations with Turkey is of importance for France. François Hollande opened a new chapter in Turkey’s relations with the European Union.”
With respect to Marine Le Pen, Mr Minasyan said she objects to Turkey’s membership in the European Union.
“Since she objects to national minorities in France, we can say she will not be concerned with Armenians-related issues. She does not say anything about Nagorno-Karabakh. She is pro-Russian and has now turned to a Russian bank for financing her election campaign,” Mr Minasyan said.
As regards the Republicans, Nicolas Sarkozy is a pro-Armenian candidate and does not stand well with Turkey.
“He is pro-Russian, but we do not know what he thinks about Nagorno-Karabakh. He is most likely to seek a balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Mr Minasyan said.
One more candidate is Alain Juppé, who is known to be a pro-Turkish political figure.
“But he recently stated Turkey could not be a member of the European Union. He is agaist national minorities and is rather serious about Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence. But we do not know about his attitude to Nagorno-Karabakh,” Mr Minasyan said.
Prior to the presidential election, the Armenian community is making steps to promote its interests.
“The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) party is in close relations with François Hollande. And Dashnkatsutyun is most likely to monitor the election process,” Mr Minasyan said.
He is sure that the Armenian community can influence the presidential campaign in France.
“Armenians must have their strategy, and we are ready to support the candidate that will recognize Nagorno-Karabakh’s independence both prior to and after the election campaign. A pledge is an important thing,” Mr Minasyan said.