Karabakh: Political Party Boom

Nagorny Karabakh voters are spoilt for choice in the upcoming parliamentary elections as for the first time a plethora of new parties has emerged to challenge the government.

Many in the Armenian-majority territory are predicting a high turnout in June following the appearance on the political scene of three serious rivals to the pro-government bloc currently dominating parliament, the Democratic Party of Artsakh.

It holds 20 seats, with the nationalist Dashnaktsutiun party controlling eight and five being held by independents. The Dashnaks became the de facto opposition in parliament three months ago after the dismissal of its party member, Education Minister Armen Sarkisian, from the government.

One reason for the opposition party boom are changes to Nagorny Karabakh’s electoral law which means that this time one-third of the 33-seat parliament will be selected by proportional representation. Parties that gain 10 per cent of the vote will win seats in the assembly, and the multiplicity of parties means that few expect one group to dominate the next parliament.

These will be the fourth set of legislative elections since 1991, when, amidst an escalating war, Nagorny Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan. The territory has never been recognised by the outside world, nor have any of the elections held there.

Alexander Sarkisian, a political analyst, said the “objectivity and clear civic stand” of Karabakh’s central electoral commission has encouraged the parties to believe this is a contest worth fighting. He also speculated the lively interest in politics amongst Karabakh Armenians at the moment may have started with the election of an opposition candidate as mayor of Stepanakert last summer.

“I don’t think it’s just corporate interests that are motivating people, it’s a desire to change the situation for the better,” said Sarkisian. “It’s rare to hear these days the sceptical view that ‘one set of masters leaves and another takes their place’.”

Free Motherland, the first of the new parties to emerge, was founded by Artur Tovmasian, a former speaker of parliament; Arpat Avanesian, a former university rector; and two successful businessmen, Araik Harutyunian and Rudik Usnunts.

At the party conference, Tovmasian criticised the government, saying that Karabakh was suffering from a “post-war syndrome that has forced many young people to leave their motherland, while those that have come to power have been far from the best”.

Free Motherland has support from within the current parliament and is expected to win a number of seats based on a programme that “reflects the fundamental interests of the Karabakh nation, guarantees its freedom, security and right to self-determination”.

Parliamentary deputy Ararat Petrosian heads another new party, Our Home is Armenia, which was founded in January. As the name suggests, its ultimate aim is union with Armenia. It also makes a strong appeal to voters disaffected with life in contemporary Karabakh.

Party leaders say they want to raise the standard of living in Karabakh, strengthen the rule of law, ensure a division between different branches of power and that veterans of the 1991-1994 conflict receive enough attention from the state.

“Participation in the parliamentary elections this summer is not our top priority, but the party will fight for seats in parliament so as to be able to give voice to the most pressing problems in the highest representative organ,” Petrosian said.

A third group, Movement 88, held its inaugural conference January 22, promising “to stay true to the basic mission of the socio-political movement of 1988” when Karabakh’s move for secession from Soviet Azerbaijan began. Amongst its policy pledges are a strengthening of ties between Karabakh, Armenia and the diaspora, a strong emphasis on defending human rights, freedom of speech and fighting corruption.

One of the founders and leaders of the party, Eduard Agabekian, the current mayor of Stepanakert and a parliamentary deputy, last year won popularity when he confidently saw off the government candidate in the second round of the mayoral elections. Since then, however, his approval rating has fallen, and Movement 88 will struggle to win seats in parliament.

Two other parties, the centre-right Armenakan party and the Communist Party, are also unlikely to win over enough voters to gain places. The opposition Dashnaks are expected to do better but will not win the largest number of seats.

Ashot Beglarian is a freelance journalist in Stepanakert and an IWPR contributor.