Gyumri, May 2 – Ruben Mkhitaryan, a prominent member of the Gyumri Council, has taken to social media to caution against complacency in election campaigns, asserting that fleeting numbers can lead to a false sense of security for both candidates and voters. His statement, posted on Facebook, critically examines the methodologies of political campaigns, drawing a vivid analogy to a celebrated football match to illustrate his point.
Mkhitaryan’s Football Analogy: Lessons from the 2005 Champions League Final
Mkhitaryan’s analysis centers on the 2005 Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool. He recalls how AC Milan, leading by three goals at halftime, seemed destined for victory. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Liverpool scored three goals within just six minutes in the second half, ultimately winning the match in a penalty shootout.
“How did that happen?” Mkhitaryan asks rhetorically. “During halftime, Liverpool’s coaching staff made accurate analyses, changed the deployment and playing scheme of their footballers on the field, made a change in defense, and gave Gerrard the freedom to act. The clear and well-followed coaching instructions, and the players ready to die on the field, did not ‘switch off’ until the referee’s final whistle, and they became the winners.”
The Deceptive Nature of Transient Numbers in Politics
Applying this sporting lesson to the political arena, Mkhitaryan states, “The TRANSIENT numbers being voiced play the role of sweet self-deception and DRUG both CANDIDATES and VOTERS.” He argues that accepting incomprehensible methodologies from various polls as the “ULTIMATE TRUTH” leads to candidates presenting issues as “RESOLVED,” thereby deceiving their teammates and dulling the desire of their potential voters to “COME OUT OF THE HOUSE.”
He highlights past instances where this complacency affected opposition parties in the 2021 parliamentary elections and the Civil Contract Party in the 2025 Gyumri elections.
The Critical Role of Adaptability and Sustained Effort
Mkhitaryan stresses that in the “FINAL” stage of elections, where both the “ELECTED” and especially the “ELECTOR” play in the same team, any player “switching off” can be fatal. “If you are not ready to admit your mistakes, make changes in the game, substitute some players, correct the tactics and strategy, but are only guided by the NUMBERS WRITTEN ON THE SCOREBOARD at that moment, then I congratulate you, you will definitely receive the ‘Audience Sympathy’ award and nothing more,” he warns.
He further emphasizes that the game does not end at 8:00 PM on June 7; rather, “ADDITIONAL TIME” begins. The ability to endure for 90 minutes, then another 30 minutes, and then to score or save penalties, is crucial. The outcome of this extended period will determine whether the audience will celebrate victory with the team on the field or simply wake up in the morning to check the recorded score.
Conclusion and Future Implications
Mkhitaryan’s message serves as a stark reminder for political actors in Gyumri and beyond that true success in elections requires more than just favorable preliminary numbers. It demands constant vigilance, strategic adjustments, and an unwavering commitment from all participants until the very end.
Source: Ruben Mkhitaryan’s Facebook page
