Several speeches by members of the opposition parties noted the deep discontent of the population, persistent corruption, impunity and injustice. They pointed out Armenia’s dismal economic and political situation, underscoring the authorities’ domestic and foreign policy failures.
Raffi Hovhanessian, the leader of the Heritage Party told the thousands assembled in the square that President Serzh Sargsyan’s time had run out. “Five years ago he signed…unconstitutional documents [Armenia-Turkey Protocols -CivilNet], last year he stole the people’s voices, ignoring once again the will of the people [Presidential elections – CivilNet]. Today, he placed his signature on a document, by which he sold Armenia’s independence [Eurasian Economic Union – CivilNet],” Hovhanessian said.
The leader of BHK, Gagik Tsarukyan, in a short address said that he has never retracted any statement he has made. “Know that what we say here today, will be realized. I will make a speech at the next rally. I can say one thing for sure, that our country, and our people will have great success, the start of which is today,” he said.
For his part, leader of the ANC, former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan said that he would not talk about the 12-point reform package the opposition had placed before the government and the President. He said that the time had come to take a more global initiative and topple the regime. “It is difficult to imagine a more convenient time than the present, when the administration is completed isolated and demoralized, while the opposition has never been more united and determined, and when the people’s patience has run out, and when the international community has abandoned Armenia’s authorities. Therefore, if we miss this opportunity and if there isn’t regime change very soon, I state without exaggeration that Armenia and Karabakh are doomed to destruction or will find themselves in such an inextricable situation, that their future development and safety will be compromised.”
Following the speeches, the gathered crowd, along with the party leaders marched through the streets in Yerevan, returning back to the square. Organizers asked people to return home and prepare for more rallies to maintain pressure on the authorities.
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), who had been in negotiations with the other three opposition parties regarding a 12-point package of reforms, opted to not participate because of its position on the constitutional changes. They have not ruled out joining with the other three on a mutually accepted platform at some point in the future.
On the same day, Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan was in Minsk, Belarus where he formally signed the membership agreement to join the Eurasian Economic Union.