22:57, 11 May 2007

"Kommersant": Armenian authorities intend to severely suppress actions of mass discontent

Tomorrow, Armenia will hold parliamentary elections. On Wednesday, May 9, late in the evening, first clashes of the authorities and opposition took place: in the centre of Yerevan the police tried to disperse with truncheons and tear gas the demonstrators who voiced for resignation of the government and fair elections. Later, the opposition has stated that by acting in this way the authorities have demonstrated their intention to severely suppress any manifestations of mass discontent connected with the elections, the "Kommersant" writes today.

The "Caucasian Knot" informed earlier that parliamentary elections would take place in Armenia on May 12, 2007. A mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has arrived to Armenia for observing over the course of the electoral campaign. The parliamentary elections in the country will be observed by 13,202 local and 669 international observers.

Next year, the powers of President Robert Kocharyan will also expire, and the present parliamentary elections are viewed by many politicians as a rehearsal of the future presidential race.