Everyone Wants to Engage in Politics, I Want to Focus on Urban Issues: Mnatsakanyan

The former mayor of the center, Viktor Mnatsakanyan, is preparing to participate in the upcoming Yerevan City Council elections on September 17.

In an interview with 'Hraparak' a month and a half ago, he stated that he plans to establish a new political party, as none of the existing dozens of registered parties in Armenia align with his vision. However, in a recent conversation, it became clear that the candidate is not in a hurry. He assured that the program for the envisioned party is already prepared, with the core group consisting of over thirty Yerevan residents. The candidate list is also ready, comprising 35 individuals who are actively engaged, yet the party documents have not yet been submitted to the state register. According to Mnatsakanyan, this issue will be resolved within the current month.

“There are no well-known figures with political backgrounds. We chose based on three principles, but for now, I don’t want to disclose specifics,” Mnatsakanyan stated.

Despite this, the name of the party has not been decided yet. There are many options under discussion with political technologists and other experts, so as to avoid associations and likenesses, as Mnatsakanyan explained: “We are actively consulting with PR specialists, psychologists, sociologists, and marketers. It turns out the name holds significant importance regarding associations.”

According to Mnatsakanyan, he distinguishes himself from others by the fact that while everyone wants to engage in politics, he aims to deal with urban issues.

“Not everyone understands that the word ‘politics’ originated from the word ‘city.’ First and foremost, the city should be just, neat, educated, comfortable, and safe, and only then can all of this project onto the country,” Mnatsakanyan added.

When asked whether he rules out cooperation with current entities, Mnatsakanyan replied, “We don’t want to rush to make political evaluations; we have a strategy, and now is not the time.”

“I am very happy for everyone; no one in this city is my enemy, and many even are my friends. Let me stand out in that I represent kindness, civility, and more practical and friendly emotions. Yerevan residents, believe me, are tired of chaos; they want to see changes in their neighborhoods, in their streets, in their governance model, to have their voices heard,” concluded Mnatsakanyan.