Armenian National Congress

This article is about the modern-day political coalition. For the 1917 assembly, see Armenian National Congress (1917).
Armenian National Congress
Founded 2008
Headquarters Yerevan, Armenia
Ideology Classical liberalism
Market liberalism[1]
Political position Centre
International affiliation None
National Assembly
7 / 131
Website
http://www.anc.am/
Politics of Armenia
Political parties
Elections

The Armenian National Congress (Armenian: Հայ Ազգային Կոնգրես, Hay Azgayin Kongres) is a coalition of 13 opposition parties in the Republic of Armenia led by former President Levon Ter-Petrosyan and formed in 2008. Its direct predecessor was the Pan-Armenian National Movement.

It is often abbreviated as ՀԱԿ HAK, in keeping with its Armenian spelling, but it is occasionally referred to as ANC in English-language media, including in its official website.

Formation and goals

The website of the Armenian National Congress lists five main goals:

 • The immediate release of all political prisoners.
 • Attaining complete freedom of speech, access to media, and assembly.
 • Truly independent investigation of the crimes of March 1 with the significant participation of International experts.
 • Initiation of a dialogue with the authorities about democratic reforms after the fulfillment of at least the first condition.
 • Holding of pre-term presidential and parliamentary elections.
—Armenian National Congress, official website[2]

2011 protests

During the 2011 Armenian protests, the HAK played a major role in organizing demonstrations and pushing for the government of President Serzh Sargsyan, who defeated Ter-Petrosyan in the 2008 election, to accept the demands of protesters.[3] The death of 10 supporters of Ter-Petrosyan as a result of protests that followed Sargsyan's disputed victory are a major rallying point for protesters.

Relations between the HAK and Heritage, a fellow opposition party, historically have been rocky, with differences in tactics during the 2011 protests widening the rift.[4]

2012 parliamentary election

After the 2012 parliamentary elections Armenian National Congress gained 7 seats in the National Assembly of Armenia.[5]

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Ter-Petrosyan: Congress suggests following Constitution instead of preaching "ethno-religious ideology"". ArmeniaNow. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
  2. ↑ "Declaration on The Creation of the Armenian National Congress". Armenian National Congress.
  3. ↑ "Armenia's opposition ANC holds rally on Liberty Square again". People's Daily Online. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "Stepan Safaryan urges to stop Heritage-ANC confrontation". PanArmenian. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  5. ↑ http://res.elections.am/images/doc/060512.pdf