Vahe Hovhannisyan: Hayakve, which is gaining great momentum as a social movement, must have an electoral continuation
Member of “Alternative Projects” group Vahe Hovhannisyan writes: “Needless to say, the majority realize the very fact that it’s not the number of signatures that is going to decide the fate of Artsakh and Armenia. Above all, Hayakve is particularly important as a process. In this regard, initiators of the idea are doing a big job. I don’t know what will become of it. In fact, no one knows. However, this is a process, giving tens of thousands of people a chance to do something useful, to feel themselves being citizens, part of a dignified process. This allows us to remember that Armenia does not solely mean the current authority. Chances are, this process can make interesting progress in the future. It goes without saying that the authority will respond. In fact, they are now making the first steps with the help of the propaganda machine, claiming that Hayakve will lead to war.
This is a weak idea, because the authority that brought war to the country and has been unable to turn the page of war for four years now, does not have the right to blame others for running the risk of a war breakout. Moreover, current social processes, having no relation with the authorities, are meant to avert a new war.
However, we should keep in mind that hereafter, on all accounts, after every single failure, this authority will threaten the society with war.
But this does not constitute their major countermove.
They know that political responses prove to be the most effective ones. The crucial step of the authorities is going to be KP victory in Yerevan mayoral elections. Moreover, in this case, it is not the name of the winner that plays the essential role, but that of the ruling power. The laurels will immediately go to Nikol and to his actions. KP victory will be the collective defeat of all healthy political circles.
We still have time to prevent it. However, I’m not sure that every effort is being made for that.
A few weeks ago, I proposed to consolidate and put up a “popular candidate” in Yerevan mayoral elections. There are at least two or three candidates who can do it successfully. Even now, I am of the opinion that it is the only way to stimulate the electoral activity and the upturn in public mood. The question, as to why we don’t succeed in this, requires further clarification. In fact, reasons are different.
A counterargument is put forward that it is not the right time for Yerevan elections. But here again, the process of electoral awakening and healthy consolidation is important above all, so that we can work towards major goals. Hundreds of thousands of people wish to do something useful to get out of this situation. However, no one shows them what to do and no one sets the stage for that. Here lies the problem.
After all, KP victory in Yerevan will be the authority’s “hayakve” (countervote) against the people. Can we avert it? Of course, yes. It stands to reason that Hayakve, which is gaining great momentum as a social movement, must have an electoral continuation. The social movement, which manages to consolidate a wide range of circles with different political views and affiliations, can naturally put up its candidate – the popular candidate in the mayoral elections. This will be the natural continuation of the social process. Good options are really possible. Those who have already put themselves as candidates should also consider this opportunity and may even become part of this process. This consolidation will also become part of the overall social process. We must move in this direction for the sake of Artsakh, for the sake of turning the page of war and achieving internal reconciliation.
Otherwise, we will once again send the tens of thousands of motivated families home.”
