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  • Karabakh: Political party boom

    IWPR- Institute for War & Peace Reporting
    March 2 2005

    KARABAKH: POLITICAL PARTY BOOM

    Three serious political rivals have emerged to challenge the
    government of Nagorny Karabakh in the upcoming parliamentary
    elections.

    By Ashot Beglarian in Stepanakert

    Nagorny Karabakh voters are spoilt for choice in the upcoming
    parliamentary elections as for the first time a plethora of new
    parties has
    emerged to challenge the government.

    Many in the Armenian-majority territory are predicting a high turnout

    in June following the appearance on the political scene of three
    serious rivals to the pro-government bloc currently dominating
    parliament, the Democratic Party of Artsakh.

    It holds 20 seats, with the nationalist Dashnaktsutiun party
    controlling eight and five being held by independents. The Dashnaks
    became
    the de facto opposition in parliament three months ago after the
    dismissal of its party member, Education Minister Armen Sarkisian,
    from the
    government.

    One reason for the opposition party boom are changes to Nagorny
    Karabakh's electoral law which means that this time one-third of the
    33-seat parliament will be selected by proportional representation.
    Parties that gain 10 per cent of the vote will win seats in the
    assembly,
    and the multiplicity of parties means that few expect one group to
    dominate the next parliament.

    These will be the fourth set of legislative elections since 1991,
    when, amidst an escalating war, Nagorny Karabakh declared
    independence
    from Azerbaijan. The territory has never been recognised by the
    outside world, nor have any of the elections held there.

    Alexander Sarkisian, a political analyst, said the "objectivity and
    clear civic stand" of Karabakh's central electoral commission has
    encouraged the parties to believe this is a contest worth fighting.
    He
    also speculated the lively interest in politics amongst Karabakh
    Armenians at the moment may have started with the election of an
    opposition
    candidate as mayor of Stepanakert last summer.

    "I don't think it's just corporate interests that are motivating
    people, it's a desire to change the situation for the better," said
    Sarkisian. "It's rare to hear these days the sceptical view that 'one
    set
    of masters leaves and another takes their place'."

    Free Motherland, the first of the new parties to emerge, was founded
    by Artur Tovmasian, a former speaker of parliament; Arpat Avanesian,
    a former university rector; and two successful businessmen, Araik
    Harutyunian and Rudik Usnunts.

    At the party conference, Tovmasian criticised the government, saying
    that Karabakh was suffering from a "post-war syndrome that has forced

    many young people to leave their motherland, while those that have
    come to power have been far from the best".

    Free Motherland has support from within the current parliament and is

    expected to win a number of seats based on a programme that "reflects

    the fundamental interests of the Karabakh nation, guarantees its
    freedom, security and right to self-determination".

    Parliamentary deputy Ararat Petrosian heads another new party, Our
    Home is Armenia, which was founded in January. As the name suggests,
    its ultimate aim is union with Armenia. It also makes a strong appeal

    to voters disaffected with life in contemporary Karabakh.

    Party leaders say they want to raise the standard of living in
    Karabakh, strengthen the rule of law, ensure a division between
    different
    branches of power and that veterans of the 1991-1994 conflict receive

    enough attention from the state.

    "Participation in the parliamentary elections this summer is not our
    top priority, but the party will fight for seats in parliament so as
    to be able to give voice to the most pressing problems in the highest

    representative organ," Petrosian said.

    A third group, Movement 88, held its inaugural conference January 22,

    promising "to stay true to the basic mission of the socio-political
    movement of 1988" when Karabakh's move for secession from Soviet
    Azerbaijan began. Amongst its policy pledges are a strengthening of
    ties
    between Karabakh, Armenia and the diaspora, a strong emphasis on
    defending human rights, freedom of speech and fighting corruption.

    One of the founders and leaders of the party, Eduard Agabekian, the
    current mayor of Stepanakert and a parliamentary deputy, last year
    won
    popularity when he confidently saw off the government candidate in
    the second round of the mayoral elections. Since then, however, his
    approval rating has fallen, and Movement 88 will struggle to win
    seats
    in parliament.

    Two other parties, the centre-right Armenakan party and the Communist

    Party, are also unlikely to win over enough voters to gain places.
    The opposition Dashnaks are expected to do better but will not win
    the
    largest number of seats.

    Ashot Beglarian is a freelance journalist in Stepanakert and IWPR
    contributor.
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