Armen Ashotyan proposes a six-point "roadmap" to the opposition

ArmInfo.  Armen Ashotyan, deputy chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia, who is currently   under arrest, has proposed a six-point "roadmap" to the opposition on  his Facebook page.

1. Constructive Antagonism

The political struggle in Armenia in recent years has been conducted  in a style of radical antagonism, and this is a conscious choice by  RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Although radical antagonism  exhausts all sides and effectively destroys the state, it gives the  authorities a temporary and tactical advantage through the unhindered  and arbitrary disposal of state resources. When antagonism is  inevitable due to the regime's choice, an attempt should be made to  move it into a less destructive, substantive field. There is no need  to suddenly fall into confusion. The word "constructive" here refers  not to the opposition's stance toward the regime, but to existing  problems. "In short, the opposition must have a clear, understandable  alternative on any important issue, based on national interests and  professional knowledge," Armen Ashotyan wrote.

2. Alternative Government

A substantial alternative can generate an alternative team of leaders  and specialists. "Therefore, I intentionally do not call this  instrument, known in political science, 'shadow,' especially since  the activities of this structure must be as public and visible as  possible. I understand all the difficulties associated with  implementing this proposal. But under two conditions, it can be made  a stable, effective, and institutionalized means of political  struggle. These two conditions are zero ambition and 100%  consistency," the politician noted.

3. Targeted Portfolios

"Having received mandates and declared that all the mechanisms and  levers of the National Assembly will be used to continue the  struggle, we must take a thoughtful approach to distributing  positions within the National Assembly committees. I will say right  away that, in my opinion, the previous National Assembly made a wrong  choice (the Eurasian Integration Committee and the Economic Affairs  Committee lacked significant political resources and influence). As a  first option, I propose taking one of the committees on state, legal,  and financial, credit, and budgetary issues. As a second option,  preference should be given to either a major committee in  education,  culture, and science, or another area of social affairs. The European  Integration Committee is also becoming a target, given the  authorities' "Eurogames," as well as the Human Rights Committee,  given the systemic crisis in this area. In short, we should select  committees whose activities, mandates, and areas of work can be  maximally capitalized both within and outside the country," the RPA  Deputy Chairman emphasized.

4. New Media Strategy

It's clear that the authorities have an advantage in the propaganda  sphere, both classical and modern. Taking into account a number of  several objective circumstances (state resources, pressure on the  opposition press, etc.), it must be acknowledged that substantive,  structural, and methodological changes are needed in this area.  Without a competent, revised, and multi-layered new media strategy,  the likelihood of success in this struggle is undoubtedly reduced  significantly.

5. "Artsakh" Parliamentary Initiative

In the current situation, incorporating the topic of Artsakh into the  institutions of the new National Assembly will require non-standard  solutions. "When the Armenia-Artsakh interparliamentary format fails  to materialize, we can again, as we did in 2021, try to create a  standing committee on the Artsakh issue, although it's clear that the  ruling Civil Contract party will vote against it. "Therefore, as Plan  B, we can announce the creation of an Artsakh parliamentary  initiative/club/circle around which we can unite and work with  relevant figures and structures," Armen Ashotyan noted.

6. Hold on tight!

"I have no doubt that from the very first days, the ruling majority  will attempt to attack, destroy, and absorb the opposition in  parliament. It is crucial to resist—with dignity and unity. Even in a  physical sense, the 64:41 ratio provides a field for adequate defense  if the opposition remains steadfast and is guided by the principle of  'one for all, and all for one,'" the politician concluded.