On The Campaign Trail — Heritage
Raffi Hovannisian, Dilijan, Tavoush Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Given recent events, I’m a little late in posting some of the images I shot on Thursday while out and about on the campaign trail with the Heritage Party founded by the U.S. born first Foreign Minister of Armenia, Raffi Hovannisian. Unfortunately, because of the bomb blasts in Yerevan, I even had to cut my trip short and make my own way back to Yerevan, but nevertheless did manage to accompany the party to Dilijan, Hrazdan and Tsaghadzor.
Anyway, it was interesting to contrast Hovannisyan’s style of campaigning with other politicians and political parties I’ve photographed here. Not surprisingly, and as with his campaign launch on Tuesday at the Marriot Armenia in Yerevan, he brings with him a more Western style of campaigning. No long speeches on stages in front of an audience that chose to gather, but more canvassing and meeting the public by walking through towns and cities.
With him was the first human rights ombudsperson of Armenia, Larissa Alaverdian, along with other members of his party, and there’s no doubt that the candidates on offer have a high reputation among most of Armenian society. Indeed, a recent nationwide voter survey commissioned by USAID and conducted by the International Republican Institute, Gallup and the Armenian Sociological Association came to the same conclusion.
According to the report, Heritage party and ex-foreign minister of Armenia Raffi Hovannisian, whose party leads the opposition movement outside parliament, is clearly the most trusted political leader in all groups, as the report concludes that “he is perceived as the most honest, patriotic, and promising figure.”
As a result, RFE/RL reported this week that Hovannisian is confident of a Heritage landslide in the election, and Hovannisian alleges that he has been a victim of government persecution in the past year and a half. Nevertheless, some local and international observers believe that his exceedingly clean image in Armenia, as well as his widespread popularity, will not translate into votes.
Opposition leader Raffi Hovannisian claimed on Tuesday that his Zharangutyun (Heritage) party is popular enough to win a majority of seats in Armenia’s next parliament.
Some local commentators question the relatively young party’s ability to win at least 5 percent of the vote needed for winning parliament seats under the system of proportional representation.
Regardless, there is no doubt that Hovannisian is a much loved figure in Armenia. Even while on the campaign trial he called into the offices of the Republican Party as well as businesses owned by Prosperous Armenia founder Gagik Tsarukian. In all cases he was welcomed with enthusiasm and a smile. More significantly perhaps, I was struck by the number of youth who are becoming involved in the party.
Unlike most political party meetings in Armenia, there were many youth in attendance for the campaign launch on Tuesday, and on Thursday, three students came along as volunteers to distribute Heritage party literature. As for Heritage’s chances at the polls, that’s a hard question to answer for now, but it certainly won’t be easy. Anyway, only a few photos because of time.
Raffi Hovannisian, Dilijan, Tavoush Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Raffi Hovannisian, Tsaghadzor, Kotayk Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Raffi Hovannisian, Dilijan, Tavoush Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Larissa Alaverdian, Hrazdan, Tavoush Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Dilijan, Tavoush Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Raffi Hovannisian, Hrazdan, Kotayk Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Tsaghadzor, Kotayk Region, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian / Oneworld Multimedia for EurasiaNet 2007
Hovik jan,
your post sounds like written by a russian about Vladimir Putin. Russians do tend to love good Tzar who is kind enough not to slaughter them in 100’s of thousands and ocassionally let them breath. In a normal democratic, market economy country, ministers do not become heroes for doing their job. Often the citizens do not even know the name of defense minister although these countres enjoy protection provided by their excelently organized army.
And why should some rich guy (never mind how he get rich) should help GYUXACI????
His job is (since he is a mamber of parlament) to provide country with laws and lawfulness, so the GYUXACI do not need help, I mean not in the form of sack of potatoes given him as a gift.
Your manners (I mean exclamations like BWAHHHHHHBWAHHHHHHH.) clearly show that you are on the same intelectual level as Dodi Gago and Co. Go get life.
Comment by Gagik — April 14, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
Hey guys, please keep it civil. No more personal attacks. Let’s just discuss and debate. Any more personal insults will have to be edited out, I’m afraid.
Comment by Onnik — April 15, 2007 @ 3:17 am