ARF’s Aghvan Vardanyan (left) and the Republican Party of Armenia’s Armen Ashotyan sign the new coalition agreement on Thursday
YEREVAN—The Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the ruling Republican Party of Armenia on Thursday signed a new coalition agreement that will see the two political forces in an alliance until the 2022 parliamentary elections.
The Vice-President of the Republican Party of Armenia Armen Ashotian and chairman of the ARF Supreme Council of Armenia Aghvan Vardanyan signed the relevant documents at a ceremony in the presidential palace with President Serzh Sarkisian, Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan were also present. Joining Vardanyan in the ARF delegation were ARF Bureau chairman Hrant Markarian, Bureau member Armen Rustamian and other party leaders.
The new coalition agreement cements the two parties agreement for what they see as better governance, with pledges to fight corruption, introduce reforms that would improve the economic situation in Armenia and take measure to guarantee the security of the nation.
The two parties signed a coalition agreement on February 24 of last year. Thursday’s agreement was signed based on the recent parliamentary elections, which saw the Republican Party winning 58 seats in the parliament with the ARF receiving seven seats.
“There are three core values set out as the basis of our cooperation. The overall security of Armenia and Artsakh, the economy and economic development, and our common resolve to make qualitative, fundamental changes in the country, said Vardanyan during a press conference held after the signing ceremony.
“This agreement will be valid during the entire tenure of the new parliament, namely until 2022,” added Vardanyan and discussed the the two parties’ “joint resolve to effect radical and qualitative changes.”
Vardanyan also said that the agreement gives the Republican Party of Armenia the sole right to nominate a candidate for prime minister next year when Sarkisian’s term expires in March of 2018.
Source: Asbarez
Link: ARF, Ruling Party Sign New Coalition Agreement