YEREVAN—Armenia’s former foreign minister and leader of the Heritage Party on announced his intentions to run for president in the upcoming 2013 elections during a press conference on Friday.
“I declare today my nomination in the upcoming presidential election,” said Hovannisian, adding that “I am doing this as a citizen of the Republic of Armenia who has the will and feels his share of responsibility for today’s situation and wants to participate in overcoming this situation.”
During his announcement, Hovannisian said he would run only once “and never again.”
“I invite the intellectuals, activists, the political parties, all Armenians who believe that Armenia is not a property of one person… I invite them participate in the Presidential elections. I invite all those who want to see a country which has values,” said Hovannisian.
“This country isn’t a one party state. It belongs to the people. I expect the upcoming presidential election to correspond to Armenian, not international standards,” added Hovannisian.
The Heritage Party leader said that he will comment on his candidacy in the coming days.
Hovannisian renounced his parliament seat in September and became the second person to offer his candidacy in the upcoming February elections. President Serzh Sarkisian has already announced his intentions to seek re-election.
ABRISE MR. Hovannisian
Good Luck
Varoujan
Armenia needs a President who fights CORRUPTION
Mr. Raffi Hovannisian, if you believe you would be the best person to lead our nation, then why are you seeking for one term only?
Hovannisian said he will not run again if he loses. He is not saying if he wins he will serve only one term. Good luck to Mr. Hovannisian! Maybe we need to send our AYF ers to Armeni to help Campaign for him, I would imagine he is the most viable candidate to beat our incumbent king…oops i mean president.
Papken, I believe what he means by that statement is that he will RUN for office once. Whether or not he gets elected is another issue completely.
I think he feels that if the citizens of the nation want real change and prosperity, ideally, it wouldnt be a mission to bring these individuals together to re-build a prosperous Armenia. If he runs on specific ideals that all Armenians are in line with, it would be safe to assume a landslide victory but considering the fact that the corrupt and selfish so called ‘leaders’ currently in power will do everything in their power to keep control, it will be quite the fight. The nation has to take matters in to their own hands and NOT give up the fight.
Only problem I can think of…if what he is running for is right and would naturally have the support of the nation, I’d hope he would run again if he doesn’t win. Unless of course, intimidation tactics and threats win, then you cant blame him. A man’s ultimate duty is to protect his family. A citizens duty is to protect their rights and their country.