The ruling party “Civil Contract” (CC) today functions as a structure that “generates financial resources,” which inevitably gives rise to internal conflicts directly related to control over these flows, political analyst Argishti Kiviryan stated.
“Where financial resources are concentrated, competing centers of influence always emerge, seeking to take control. It is obvious that today’s CC is no longer the ‘hungry party’ that at the beginning of its path relied solely on membership fees. Today, CC has become a sufficiently well-resourced structure and, in essence, has inherited the traditions that once existed in the ruling Republican Party. This is why internal conflicts within CC are not ideological but primarily resource-driven — a struggle among elites for control over financial flows. And, as one can assume, the current crisis is far from the last. As long as significant money circulates within the party, such clashes will periodically arise,” Kiviryan noted.
According to media reports, National Assembly deputy Hayk Sarkisyan submitted a written demand to the leadership of the CC party requesting the expulsion of Alen Simonyan from the party. He spoke about this a few days ago during a party meeting in the Kotayk region, which was attended by over 100 people.
“At first, we were all in shock, but when he explained the reason, everyone began applauding after his speech. When Hayk Sarkisyan drafted a bill to raise taxes on bookmaker companies, Alen Simonyan became angry, as he had a financial interest in a betting company. He began openly opposing Sarkisyan; the dispute reached Pashinyan. Simonyan demanded that Sarkisyan be reprimanded for violating ethical rules and that the vote on the law be suspended, but Pashinyan instructed to vote in favor of the law,” one participant of the meeting, who wished to remain anonymous, told 24News. Hayk Sarkisyan also sent videos to all party members, in which he substantiates his statements with evidence.
Hayk Sarkisyan himself neither confirms nor denies this information, promising that after the party leadership elections, he will definitely answer all our questions.