Reaction Armenian presidential election, 2013

1 reaction

1.1 hovannisian
1.2 armenian diaspora
1.3 international

1.3.1 criticism

reaction








hovannisian

runner-up raffi hovannisian didn t recognize legitimacy of election , on late night of 18 february 2013, claimed victory in press conference, stating know have won , continuing first time in 20 years citizens have said yes our constitution, rule of law, democracy , our future.

the mass rallies continue, while on 10 march hovannisian started hunger strike calling sargsyan resign.

armenian diaspora

groups of armenian diaspora protested results , alleged fraud in front of armenian consulates in new york, los angeles, paris, brussel , other major american , european cities.

serj tankian, lead singer of grammy award-winning armenian-american rock band system of down, wrote open letter incumbent sargsyan saying s time change after non-government organizations reported widespread voting fraud. citizens across armenia protesting outcome of elections , injustice inherent in political establishment. urged sargsyan protect country enemies steal elections people domestic enemies need punished.

international

supranational bodies


 european union — european commission president josé manuel barroso congratulated sargsyan stating welcomes improved conduct of elections , further progress in efforts bring democratic process line international standards.
 council of europe — secretary general thorbjørn jagland in congratulatory message stated confident sargsyan pursue on-going process of reforms , country committed, view securing democratic stability , ensuring full respect rule of law , human rights in armenia.
 nato — secretary general anders fogh rasmussen stated nato welcomes progress made armenia since last elections , trust further steps undertaken address remaining deficiencies,” nato statement says on presidential elections in armenia .


states


 united states — state department spokesman victoria nuland stated congratulates people of armenia on february 18 presidential elections, judged international observers well-administered , characterized respect fundamental freedoms, including of assembly , expression.


on 25 february 2013, secretary of state john kerry congratulated sargsyan on reelection , hoped armenia continue increase transparency, promote multiple viewpoints in mainstream media, , encourage citizens’ active participation in reforms , governance, address outstanding electoral issues raised osce.
on 2 march 2013, president barack obama sent congratulatory message sargsyan. president obama said looks forward continuing our work both begin our second terms.


 russia — president vladimir putin congratulated sargsyan on winning reelection.
 georgia — president mikheil saakashvili congratulated sargsyan.
 iran — mahmoud ahmadinejad congratulated sargsyan , wished prosperity , glory armenian nation.
 turkey — president abdullah gül congratulated sargsyan.
 france — french president françois hollande congratulated sargsyan. message read confident strengthen resolve shape democratic, stable , prosperous armenia, living in peace of neighbors.
 germany — chancellor angela merkel congratulated sargsyan , noted confident sargsyan allow improve armenia’s relations neighboring countries on east on west.
 united kingdom — british pm david cameron congratulated sargsyan, wishing best begin second term in office. forward our 2 governments working mutual benefit of both our countries.
 ukraine — viktor yanukovych congratulated sargsyan , stated years-long work , efforts aimed @ improvement of living standards of armenian people have been once again broadly supported citizens of armenia.

other heads of states congratulated sargsyan include president of belarus alexander lukashenko, president of lithuania dalia grybauskaitė, president of lebanon michel suleiman, president of slovakia ivan gašparovič, president of egypt mohamed morsi, president of israel shimon peres, president of swiss confederation ueli maurer, president of hellenic republic karolos papoulias, president of socialist republic of vietnam truong tan sang, president of uzbekistan islam karimov, president of tajikistan emomali rahmon, former president of slovenia danilo türk.

criticism

hovannisian, disputes election s legitimacy, denounced congratulatory messages of foreign countries, stating can whatever want , allow nobody teach me lessons of american, western or russian democracy , law because armenian citizens masters of our country.