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VOTE 2013 FALLOUT: GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS SHIRAK GOVERNOR'S RESIGNATION, BUT ARMAVIR MAYOR TO STAY IN OFFICE
Vote 2013 | 28.02.13 | 13:44
The government on Thursday officially accepted the resignation of
Shirak Governor Ashot Giziryan linked by many to the poor performance
of President Serzh Sargsyan in the region in last week's presidential
election.
Giziryan as well as representatives of the ruling Republican Party have
denied that the resignation has anything to do with the election in
which the government candidate, according to official data, suffered
a sensitive defeat to opposition challenger Raffi Hovannisian in the
Shirak provincial center of Gyumri.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan also denied today that Giziryan had
been forced to step down. "He himself tendered a letter of resignation,
and this is an important circumstance, as media today are disseminating
information not corresponding to the reality. We respect his decision,"
said Sargsyan (no relation to President Sargsyan).
At the same time, the government rejected the letter of resignation
tendered by Ruben Khlghatyan, the mayor of Armavir, another town
where the opposition candidate won in the February 18 vote.
Unlike governors, mayors in Armenia are elected officials, and
Khlghatyan formally could not be dismissed.
Deputy head of the Ministry of Territorial Administration Vache
Terteryan reportedly explained reasons for such a step by the
"emotional" decision not connected with the "proper execution of
duties".
Earlier reports about the resignation of Samvel Darbinyan, the mayor
of Vanadzor, where, too, the incumbent president lost in the ballot,
have not been confirmed yet.
Experts believe that losing elected mayors in communities where an
opposition candidate has just won and with a prospect of new elections
is not advisable for the ruling party.
http://armenianow.com/vote_2013/43993/armenia_presidential_election_2013_resignations
Vote 2013 | 28.02.13 | 13:44
The government on Thursday officially accepted the resignation of
Shirak Governor Ashot Giziryan linked by many to the poor performance
of President Serzh Sargsyan in the region in last week's presidential
election.
Giziryan as well as representatives of the ruling Republican Party have
denied that the resignation has anything to do with the election in
which the government candidate, according to official data, suffered
a sensitive defeat to opposition challenger Raffi Hovannisian in the
Shirak provincial center of Gyumri.
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan also denied today that Giziryan had
been forced to step down. "He himself tendered a letter of resignation,
and this is an important circumstance, as media today are disseminating
information not corresponding to the reality. We respect his decision,"
said Sargsyan (no relation to President Sargsyan).
At the same time, the government rejected the letter of resignation
tendered by Ruben Khlghatyan, the mayor of Armavir, another town
where the opposition candidate won in the February 18 vote.
Unlike governors, mayors in Armenia are elected officials, and
Khlghatyan formally could not be dismissed.
Deputy head of the Ministry of Territorial Administration Vache
Terteryan reportedly explained reasons for such a step by the
"emotional" decision not connected with the "proper execution of
duties".
Earlier reports about the resignation of Samvel Darbinyan, the mayor
of Vanadzor, where, too, the incumbent president lost in the ballot,
have not been confirmed yet.
Experts believe that losing elected mayors in communities where an
opposition candidate has just won and with a prospect of new elections
is not advisable for the ruling party.
http://armenianow.com/vote_2013/43993/armenia_presidential_election_2013_resignations