VIDEO. "There Were 5-6 Candidates for the Presidency". Simonian Discusses the Discussions and Names Considered

Khachatur Sukiasyan has not had any connection to the nomination of Vahagn Khachaturyan for the presidency. This was stated by Alen Simonian, who has held the powers of the President of Armenia, during a conversation with reporters following a closed meeting of the CP group deputies and the probable presidential candidate Vahagn Khachaturyan today, February 1.

“I will add that he has not had any connection at any stage. Mr. Sukiasyan does not participate in the discussions of the board and cannot participate, because he is not a member of the board. The discussion took place initially in the format of the CP board, and then it was discussed with the faction,” Simonian said.

Alen Simonian informed that 5-6 candidates were discussed. “The discussion was very long, many different arguments were presented, and after lengthy discussions, we made that decision. I believe we have chosen a very good candidate, who through his journey and integrity corresponds well to that position and will well fulfill his powers,” Simonian stated.

When asked who specifically proposed Vahagn Khachaturyan's candidacy, he responded, “Mr. Khachaturyan's candidacy was proposed by several people; I cannot recall specifically, because we discussed this for a long time. As for my candidacy, I have declared a self-withdrawal.”

In response to the remark that the opposition states that a member of the political team will essentially be a president serving the KP interests, Alen Simonian replied, “Whoever we nominated, the opposition would have had something to say. We have seen the opposition's candidates; we did not discuss Vazgen Manukyan’s candidacy, so I can reassure them. We also have not had candidates who would come to discussions after drinking. The opposition has its way of choosing, we have ours. So, there is nothing surprising.”