Following in the prime minister’s footsteps, other government officials join Republican Party of Armenia

Published: Friday November 27, 2009

Left to right. Nerses Yeritsyan and Tigran Davtyan. Photolure.

Yerevan - Armenia's Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan and Minister of Finance Tigran Davtyan have presented applications to become members of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) just ahead of the party's November 28 congress. Joining them was the government's Chief of Staff David Sargsyan and six other senior government officials, including Deputy Finance Minister Vartan Aramian. Their request to become members of the RPA comes on the heels of Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian's application for membership in the same party. So far, none of these officials have made public their reason for joining the RPA, which has a commanding majority of seats in parliament and holds the presidency.

Edward Sharmazanov, the RPA's press secretary, told Armenpress that he considers this to be logical as the ministers are members of the political team headed by the president of Armenia, Serge Sargsyan.

"I consider it normal; it is a decision for each one. It is also logical as we are members of the same political team. As a member of the Republican Party I am happy that the party ranks are being filled with professionals, and I think that our party's activities will further consolidate our statehood and will help in solving those issues which society faces," Mr. Sharmazanov said.

According to RFE/RL, some observers view this development as a way for President Serge Sargsyan to show his "unwavering support for his reformist prime minister." The radio station speculates that such a show of support is a response to pro-government figures who may have been trying to undermine the prime minister.

Razmik Zohrabian of the RPA told RFE/RL that there was a need for unity. "In that sense, the prime minister and perhaps some ministers should be party members," Mr. Zohrabian said. He also said that it is expected that Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian and Yerevan Mayor Gagik Beglarian, who also recently joined the RPA, will be elected to the party's executive body at the November 28 congress.