Vahe Hovhannisyan: Why is the Atmosphere in Armenia Being Radicalized?
Yerevan, May 24 – Vahe Hovhannisyan, a member of the “Alternative Projects” group and on the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) electoral list, has penned an article questioning the increasing radicalization of the atmosphere in Armenia. Hovhannisyan emphasizes the strategic importance of de-escalation within the country and along its borders, cautioning against the belief that Armenia’s fate is decided in foreign capitals.
Armenia’s Fate Decided in Yerevan, Not Abroad
Hovhannisyan asserts that Armenia’s destiny is forged in Yerevan, not in Moscow, Washington, Brussels, or Paris. He stresses that the upcoming June 7 elections are exclusively internal Armenian elections, and any other perception could lead to its fate being decided in Baku.
“A week or two ago, at the beginning of the election campaign, I said that the biggest danger is if we think that Armenia’s fate will be decided in any other capital. Armenia’s fate is not decided in Moscow, nor in Washington, nor in Brussels, nor in Paris. Armenia’s fate is decided in Yerevan. And June 7 is exclusively an internal Armenian election. If we think otherwise, it will eventually be decided in Baku,” Hovhannisyan wrote.
Internal Escalation and Lack of Solidarity
He notes a significant internal escalation within the country, stating that while problems surround Armenia, the nation is pursuing a path of internal escalation. Hovhannisyan laments that the idea of internal solidarity, a core tenet of the PAP’s “Offer to Armenia” program, has been met with a barrage of aggression and threats from “ONE person.” He questions what Armenia gains from this and concludes that no one benefits.
External Escalation with Russia and the “Zelensky Factor”
Hovhannisyan also points to an escalation in external relations, specifically with Russia. He critically examines the cost of playing a “Zelensky card,” suggesting it has placed numerous sectors of the Armenian economy at risk of bankruptcy. He highlights that Ukrainian President Zelensky visited Baku before coming to Yerevan but refrained from making anti-Russian provocative statements there, implying that Azerbaijan is not a country where such provocations are tolerated, unlike Armenia.
“The price of playing a Zelensky was it worth it for many branches of our economy to face the real danger of bankruptcy? Zelensky was in Baku before coming to Yerevan. But he did not make provocative anti-Russian statements there. He did not say a word. He considered that it was not possible to make provocations in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan is not that country, but in Armenia it is possible. Why did he do that? Let’s think about this,” Hovhannisyan urged.
The Vardanian Case and Avoiding a “New Ukraine” Scenario
Furthermore, Hovhannisyan addresses circulating information in the Azerbaijani media about the possible extradition of Ruben Vardanian to Ukraine, allegedly for financing anti-Ukrainian activities in Donbas. He considers this a dangerous scenario, whether true or a bait, and warns against allowing Armenia to become a “new Ukraine.” He stresses that Armenia’s seriousness is its weapon against those who wish to transform the country.
Unanswered Questions on Radicalization
Hovhannisyan concludes by stating there is no rational explanation for the government’s radicalization of the atmosphere. He argues that this approach is detrimental to both maintaining power and facilitating various transformations. He questions why a programmatic, even sharply debatable, atmosphere is being replaced by radicalization and suggests that this issue should be discussed within the government itself, as no one will benefit from it. He warns that internal escalation will quickly lead to external escalation in one form or another, and to varying degrees.
