azatutyun.am
Armenian Opposition Parties Begin Talks to Oust Prime Minister Pashinyan
Following parliamentary hearings on a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Pashinyan, the Republican Party, led by former President Serzh Sargsyan, has initiated meetings with extra-parliamentary forces to strategize his removal.
- What is the primary goal of the meetings between the Republican Party and other opposition groups?
- The main objective is to coordinate efforts to remove Prime Minister Pashinyan through impeachment proceedings. Discussions involve exploring various strategies to achieve this goal, with impeachment being the Republican Party's preferred method.
- Which opposition groups are involved, and what is their history regarding attempts to oust Pashinyan?
- The Republican Party has met with representatives from the "Patriots" faction, the "Heritage" party, the National Democratic Union, the "Homeland" party, and the "Democratic Alternative" party. Some of these groups, such as the National Democratic Union's Vazgen Manukyan and Artur Vanetsyan, previously attempted to remove Pashinyan after the 2020 war, without success.
- What is the likelihood of success, considering the necessary support from the ruling coalition, and what alternative strategies are being considered?
- Impeachment faces significant hurdles, requiring support from within the ruling coalition, which currently seems unlikely. While the primary focus is impeachment, alternative strategies, including weakening the government's authority and setting their own agenda, are being explored as potential interim goals. The "Democratic Alternative" party leader notes that even without achieving the ultimate goal, these actions can create cracks within the ruling party and reduce their influence.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the situation, presenting arguments from both sides. However, the repeated emphasis on the unlikelihood of success of the impeachment process could be considered framing bias, subtly leaning towards a narrative of inevitable failure.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, although phrases like "impeachment process" and "overthrow the government" carry inherent political connotations. More neutral terms like "removal from office" or "parliamentary process" could be used for greater objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The article omits discussion of potential consequences if the impeachment attempt succeeds. Exploring possible scenarios would provide a more complete analysis and avoid bias by omission.
False Dichotomy
The article doesn't explicitly present a false dichotomy but implies one by focusing heavily on the impeachment attempt as the primary method for removing Pashinyan. Other potential political avenues are not explored thoroughly.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses attempts by opposition groups in Armenia to remove Prime Minister Pashinyan through impeachment. This directly relates to SDG 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, as it addresses the functioning of governmental institutions and the pursuit of accountability. The success or failure of these attempts will directly impact the stability and legitimacy of Armenia's political system. The actions taken, whether successful or not, are a reflection of the functioning (or dysfunctioning) of Armenia's democratic institutions and their capacity to manage political conflict peacefully.