Election Date: May 11, 2007

Abstract: At stake: National Assembly

At stake: National Assembly

Background

The smallest of the former Soviet republics, Armenia shares borders with Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. Armenia is one of the world's most ancient civilizations and was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in the year 300.

The country's recent history is deeply marked by the deaths of thousands of Armenians in 1915 following an order by the government of the Ottoman Empire—formed by members of the Turkish nationalist Committee of Union and Progress (ITC)—urging thousands of Armenians to relocate from the Caucasus to the deserts of Syria and Mesopotamia.

The state-sponsored deportation campaign led to a high number of fatalities, estimated at anywhere from 200,000 to 1.8 million. While some scholars believe the campaign was a deliberate attempt to exterminate Armenians, Turkey has never formally accepted the use of the term "genocide" to describe the event. Relations between the two countries remain tense to this day because of it.

Currently, many adults in Armenia believe their border with Turkey should not be reopened unless there is an acknowledgement of the genocide, according to a poll by The Gallup Organization.

The independent republic of Armenia was established in 1918. On Nov. 20, 1920, the Soviet army annexed Armenia. On March 12, 1922, the Soviets joined Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan to form the Transcaucasian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became part of the USSR.

On Sept. 23, 1991, Armenia declared its independence from the collapsing Soviet Union. From 1992 to 1994, war broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region—an Armenian enclave in the neighbouring country inhabited by Christians who wanted to join Armenia or declare independence. Over 30,000 people died in the war, after which Armenia gained control of the territory. No formal settlement has been reached to this day. Turkey imposed sanctions on Armenia after their seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh.

A new constitution strengthening presidential powers was approved in 1995. Robert Kocharyan was elected president in February 1998.

In October 1999, terrorists stormed the parliament, killing the prime minister and other officials in an apparent coup attempt. They were all apprehended.

Kocharyan was re-elected as Armenia's president on Mar. 5, 2003, defeating Stepan Demirchyan of the Republican Party of Armenia (HKK) in a run-off. The vote was marred by allegations of fraud by the main opposition parties.

A joint endeavour by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe placed 400 observers in Armenia for the May 25 parliamentary ballot that same year. According to the mission, the election "fell beyond international standards" as monitors reported intimidation, ballot-stuffing and vote-tally falsification.

Official results placed the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) of prime minister Andranik Markaryan as the top political organization, with 31 seats. In November 2005, voters overwhelmingly approved a series of constitutional amendments, which limit presidential powers.

Armenia used to be an industrial center of the former Soviet Union. Since the dissolution of the union in December 1991, Armenia has switched to small-scale agriculture away from the large agro-industrial complexes.

The conflict with Azerbaijan in the 1990s caused severe damages to Armenia's economy and infrastructure; about half of the population lives below the poverty line. The country joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in January 2003. Economic ties with Russia remain close, especially in the energy sector.

It is estimated 60 per cent out of Armenia's 8 million people live outside the country. Most of them reside in the United States and Russia.

2007 National Assembly Election

President Robert Kocharyan is ineligible for a new term in office. Current defence minister Serge Sarkisian and current foreign minister Vartan Oskanian have been mentioned as possible presidential candidates.

A delegation from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is scheduled to arrive in Armenia two weeks before the May election. However, the government has not officially invited the group of election observers and Kocharyan has failed to attend meetings with OSCE chairman Goran Lenmarker to discuss the government's role in the ballot.

On Jan. 30, Vazgen Manukian, leader of the National Democratic Union Party (NDUP), declared: "All previous elections were falsified. All those who organized these falsifications were given posts. (.) How do they dare say that these elections will be better than the previous ones?"

The United States has launched a $6 million U.S. program, in conjunction with non-governmental organizations and government agencies, to bolster the chances for a fair vote. The program includes training sessions for election commission officials. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the OSCE and the Council of Europe are running similar programs.

On Feb. 2, Felix Khachatryan, a member of Armenia's Central Election Commission (CEC) representing the opposition, refused government assurances that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be more democratic than the past polls. Kachatryan, who represents the Artarutyun (Justice) Party in the CEC, declared: "The authorities do not want free and fair elections. The reasons for that are clear. First and foremost, they don't want to lose their lucrative posts (.) They feel that after losing power they would have to answer questions about things they did while in power."

On Feb. 4, Armenia's defence minister and Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) leader Serge Sarkisian answered to Kachatryan's comments, saying, "I'll do my best to have the elections honest, free, fair and transparent (.) And not only me, [but] all the authorities will do the same. And this is because the authorities and the parties who have good chances to win and become part of the government as a result of the elections are the most interested in having good elections."

On Feb. 7, former parliament speaker Artur Baghdasaryan said that his Orinats Yerkir (Rule of Law) party—which is expected to be a major force in the elections—will not enter an alliance with any other party before the parliamentary ballot. Baghdasaryan explained his rationale, saying, "In artificial alliances, jealousy is stronger than love. We think that it's better to have healthy cooperation on concrete issues and principles than to consolidate parties with different ideologies and programs." Baghdasaryan also said the group would collaborate with other opposition parties after the vote.

On Mar. 25, Armenian prime minister Andranik Markaryan died of apparent heart failure. On Mar. 26, HHK spokesman Eduard Sharmazanov said the party will "convoke a sitting of the executive body or the party council where it will nominate the party's candidature to the post of prime minister." The spokesman said an agreement had been reached with Kocharian and the coalition forces to leave the position to an HHK member.

On Mar. 26, defence minister Serge Sarkisian took over as prime minister. Following his appointment, Sarkisian declared he would not modify the administration until after the next election, saying, "I don't think there need to be serious changes in the composition of the government as it will work for almost 40 more days, and our key task is to ensure continuity in the government's work."

In April, European Union (EU) special representative to the South Caucasus Peter Semneby discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "Fraudulent elections would be a lost opportunity for a firm relationship between Yerevan and Brussels."

The Prosperous Armenia party—led by former wrestler Gagik Tsarukian—is expected to be the main rival to the HHK. In April, two of the party's offices were the site of explosions. Prosperous Armenia members have close ties to Kocharian.

On May 4, Sarkisian said he has no problems with Kocharian, declaring, "If I insist that our relations are excellent, one may not believe me. But those who have been able to observe our relations are surprised by these rumours. We have known each other for a long time and have worked together for 26 years. Our present rapport is one of two persons who have gone down the same path for 26 years."

A poll conducted by Britain-based Populus placed the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) in first place with 31 per cent, followed by Prosperous Armenia (BHK) with 27 per cent, Rule of Law Country (OE) with 11 per cent, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (HHD) with eight per cent, National Unity (NU) with seven per cent, and People's Party of Armenia (HZhK) with five per cent.

Voting took place on May 12. Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) election monitoring team coordinator Tone Tingsgard described the ballot as "an improvement on previous elections" and " conducted largely in accordance with the standards for international elections."

On May 13, Armenia's Central Election Commission said five parties had earned seats in the legislative branch: the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) with 32.82 per cent, Prosperous Armenia (BHK) with 14.68 per cent, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (HHD) with 12.72 per cent, Rule of Law Country (OE) with 6.84 per cent, and the Heritage Party with 5.81 per cent. The results give the Republicans 64 seats in the National Assembly—two shy of an overall majority.

Rule of Law Country member Tigran Mkrtchian expressed concerns, saying, "I wouldn't consider it a legitimate election. We are very disappointed."

Leo Platvoet, head of the observer delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, told reporters after the vote: "The campaign and election had had both positive and negative characteristics. It's not black, and it's not white. But it's more white than black." U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said: "I think this is an improvement over past elections; though certainly if you look at what the observers said, it did not fully meet international standards."

On May 16, Sarkisian said he would seek the presidency next year, declaring, "The elections showed that our party got a serious vote of confidence, and if the party decides so, I will definitely run."

Turnout was tabled at 59.35 per cent.

Political Players

President: Robert Kocharyan
Prime minister: Serge Sarkisian - HHK

The president is elected to a four-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Azgayin Zhoghov (National Assembly) has 131 members, elected to four-year terms; 75 members are elected in single-seat constituencies, and 56 by proportional representation.

Results of Last Election:

President - Feb. 19 and Mar. 5, 2003

 

 

	Feb. 19	Mar. 5
Robert Kocharyan	48.3%	67.5%
Stepan Demirchyan (Republican Party of Armenia)	27.4%	32.5%
Artashes Geghamyan (National Unity)	16.9%	--
Aram Karapetian (Constitutional Rights Union)	2.8%	--

 

National Assembly - May 12, 2007 

	Vote%	Seats
Republican Party of Armenia (HHK)	32.82%	64
Prosperous Armenia (BHK)	14.68%	18
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (HHD)	12.72%	16
Rule of Law Country (OE)	6.84%	9
Heritage Party	5.81%	7
United Labour Party (MAK)	4.26%	--
National Unity (AM)	3.58%	--
New Times	3.38%	--
Other parties	15.91%	--

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