Armenia bloc intends to take up its mandates: statement

The Armenia bloc intends to take up its mandates. This is stated in a declaration by the political force.

“Dear compatriots, dear voters,

Following the decision of the Constitutional Court, the Armenia bloc considers it necessary to present its position regarding the further strategy of struggle. We reaffirm our assessment: the Constitutional Court’s decision does not correct the electoral falsifications and does not resolve the question of the legitimacy of the government being formed. The reproduced regime is devoid of legitimacy. It must be clearly stated: we are contesting the legitimacy of the authorities’ representation in the National Assembly and their right to form a government, not the votes received by the opposition.

The dignified votes of more than 550,000 citizens, cast for the opposition out of conviction, cast in the name of saving the state, are highly binding for us. It should also be clearly stated that challenging the legality of the votes attributed to the ruling regime in the Constitutional Court was aimed at documenting this reality.

As announced earlier, on the matter of taking up mandates, the Armenia bloc has been guided, and will continue to be guided, by the imperative of a unified position among the opposition forces and the logic of continuing the struggle, having first discussed all possible scenarios and risks with public and professional circles.

For us, deputy status is neither a position nor a convenience. It is an additional instrument, a legal and political tool, and an opportunity for daily resistance. Therefore, we believe that in the difficult struggle ahead, we are obligated to use every possible means to counter the authorities’ anti-state programs. A mandate is a weapon, and voluntarily relinquishing it would be irresponsible toward our state and our voters.

We view representation in the National Assembly as a tool for protecting citizens’ rights, voicing their concerns, and proposing solutions, that will serve to strengthen ties with the public and international actors, present alternative approaches on international platforms, and support large-scale public consolidation and the organization of resistance. All our steps in the National Assembly will be guided by the foundational agenda set out in the joint statement of the opposition forces submitted to the Constitutional Court.

1. Preventing the forced amendment of the Constitution of Armenia. Countering any attempts to change the Constitution and undermine the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia, using the full parliamentary apparatus and mobilizing the population.

2. Protecting the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church. The National Assembly platform and deputy powers will be used against any illegal campaign directed against the Church and national values.

3. Protecting the rights of political prisoners and prisoners of war. Using the parliamentary mandate, both within Armenia and on international platforms, to protect the rights of persons subjected to political persecution, as well as Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku, and to secure their release.

4. Removing the current regime. This is our primary political imperative. Parliamentary mandates will serve to overthrow this regime and to form a national government of a new quality.

Dear citizens, Thanks to the high voter turnout in the elections and the votes cast for the opposition forces, it was possible to deprive the current authorities of a constitutional majority and to provide the opposition forces with a much broader set of tools for shaping a nationwide agenda of resistance and bringing about a change of power. The Constitutional Court’s decision is not the end of the struggle, but the beginning of a new, more coordinated stage of struggle. Aware of its responsibility to the homeland and to voters, the Armenia bloc will send to parliament an ideologically resolute and unwavering political team which, standing at the forefront of political resistance, is ready to take on its share of responsibility.

There is no alternative to struggle and resistance. In parliament and beyond it, we will continue our fight for a safe and competitive Armenia,” the bloc’s statement reads.