Unfortunately, Foam Is Always More

Interview with Hayk Martirosyan, Ph.D. Candidate at Sorbonne University, political scientist, specialist of media and political technologies (New York)

According to David Harutyunyan, the PACE report on the shortcomings of the parliamentary elections in Armenia is full of manipulations. What shortcomings have you observed?

Compared with the previous elections I think a more dangerous thing happened in a more civilized way. This is the first time it is wrong to blame the government for everything. When there is possibility to conduct elections without changing the ballot boxes or stuffing ballots but to accept bribes, people accept it and a change of the role of those having the more guilt happens. It is immorality to sell one’s own vote. It is also immoral to offer bribes but it is more immoral to accept it. This election brought about a massive criminal phenomenon the main players of which were the greater part of the society. Those forces which are the representatives of the lowest but the largest layers of the society are also to blame but people who have citizenship but are not citizens have received what they were worth for their immoral behavior.

The citizens accepted the bribes. But was there any choice?

There is always a choice, especially in elections. This world is not without alternatives. If someone feels their choice is limited may ignore the elections. Besides, the political aspect was very diverse in this election. A horrible thing happened. A large part of the society became corrupt. Those who sell their votes lose their vote. Now, we have a more voiceless society. Unfortunately, not only those voiceless will pay for their sins but also the dignified voters and the whole society.

So, we need to change the society, not the government or the opposition.

Yes, we do. The society is polarized. Part of it is regressive, the other part is progressive. Unfortunately, the foam is always more than the heavier materials and this time was not an exception.

How should the society move forward? Do we need a change of generation to change something?

The more generations come, the worse the situation will be because the same process is underway in the entire world. Especially in this century of technology and superficial interests, along with development, almost all the countries face the problem of intellectual decline. This is a human issue. The problem is that the society should be forced to enhance its level to get acquainted with moral values once again. There is not a relevant policy, education, and everything is not done programmatically but by the initiative of some individuals. Degradation will continue unless there are values.

What developments will there be in the new parliament? Will there be real debates?

There are some signs of future debates but they will be unequal which will be doomed to failure. I don’t think the vote of some forces will be decisive in the parliament. I think some micro-evolutionary processes are underway in Armenia. Mashtots Park and Yerevan marketplace are the proof. Some innovations will take place in this context, some hints of civilization, which in the future will have their influence which will hardly play a decisive role in the new parliament. The principle “divide to reign” can be seen in the parliament, where there is split opposition which hates its members and similar power. In these conditions, it will be easier for the RPA to act.