Readers' comments

• Vote 2012: Journalists to become politicians?

The Republicans will include "younger and more handsome candidates" on their list. What's this, Playboy Bunny job application? What if the candidate is fat,bald, ugly, and missing a tooth and yet he's genious, what about that? " Sorry Himayag, you're too fat and ugly, and you stink, the EXIT door's on your right". Not fair really. What are you folks inhaling back there?...

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The ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) has repeatedly stated that wealthy businessmen will not be included on their lists in the next parliament, whose presence is, in fact, banned by a law. Some Republicans have also stated that “younger and more handsome candidates” will be included on their list. The involvement of journalists on this list is perceived in this very context. This means that the ruling parties try to have more competent, more literate and sympathetic lawmakers who are known by the public.

There are former journalist lawmakers in Prosperous Armenia faction in the present parliament, for example journalist from oppositional Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Time) daily Naira Zohrabyan and commentator of H2 TV channel Aram Safaryan, who is the secretary of Prosperous Armenia faction. These two lawmakers, by the way, are among the most active members of the faction.

The speculations over being involved on the list of Armenia’s junior coalition partner Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) have been confirmed by Armenian Kentron (Center) TV commentator Petros Ghazaryan (the TV channel belongs to PAP leader Gagik Tsarukyan). In an interview with Aravot (Morning) daily Ghazaryan said: “I believe that currently PAP is the party which has the great potential for internal reforms, and therefore I have made my decision in favor of PAP,” Ghazaryan says.

The press also speculates that former TV commentator of ArmNews channel Menua Harutyunyan, reporter of Aravot daily Margarit Yesayan, Spokesman of Foreign Minister of Armenia Tigran Balayan, Director of Armenpress News Agency Aram Ananyan and former Spokesman of President of Armenia Samvel Farmanyan will be included on the RPA proportional list.

Hayatsk (Glance) daily wrote that according to its sources, reporter of Aravot daily Margarit Yesayan will be included on the RPA list by all means. The veteran journalist told ArmeniaNow that she does know such a thing, and she does not consider it proper to comment on articles published by another daily.

Menua Harutyunyan and Samvel Farmanyan said that if the party (RPA) decides, then they are ready to be included on the list. Others preferred not commenting on this issue. Editor-in-Chief of Haykakan Zhamanak daily Nikol Pashinyan will most probably be included on the proportional list of the radical opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC).