In his new autobiography, Armenia’s second president portrays himself as a wise statesman, criticizes Nikol Pashinyan, and describes his respect for Heydar Aliyev.
The former president was enemy number one of Armenia’s “Velvet Revolution.” Since being ousted, Sargsyan has virtually disappeared, but he remains in the country and appears safe – for now – from the wave of prosecutions targeting former officials.
A number of recent personnel moves, softened rhetoric and positive statements suggest a new willingness in Baku to reach out to Armenia’s new authorities.
The formerly ruling Republican Party is on life support, but it has provided a useful foil for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and sparring between the two has dominated the parliamentary election campaign.
A new party, made up of many of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s allies from the street protests that brought him to power, is challenging him from the left.