Almost 10 days after the official launch of the presidential campaign, the political scene in Armenia remains relatively calm. Unlike elections in 2008 and 2003, there have not been any powerful rallies or other street protests and demonstrations from the opposition. President Serzh Sargsyan will face seven challengers in the Feb. 18 poll, including Hrant Bagratyan, a former prime minister and leader of the Liberty Party, and Raffi Hovhannisyan, head of the Heritage Party.
Recent Gallup surveys show Sargsyan is leading the race with about 66 percent of voters leaning toward him. The president represents the ruling Republican Party, the majority party in the Armenian parliament since 1999.
Among the five other candidates are Aram Harutyunyan, a math professor at the Yerevan State University; Paruir Hayrikyan, leader of the small National Self-Determination Party; and Arman Melikyan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the self-proclaimed Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. The two other candidates, Vardan Sedrakyan and Andreas Ghukasyan, are almost virtual unknowns to the Armenian public.
Full Article: Armenia enjoys quiet amidst presidential campaign – NZweek.
