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Free Democrats (Armenia)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the political party in Armenia. For other political parties with the same name, see Free Democrats.
Not to be confused with Freedom Party (Armenia).
Free Democrats
Ազատ դեմոկրատներ
LeaderKhachatur Kokobelyan
FoundedMay 22, 2011 (2011-05-22)
HeadquartersYerevan
IdeologyLiberalism[1]
Pro-Europeanism[2]
Pro-Western
Anti-EAEU[3][4]
Political positionCentre
National affiliationWe Alliance (2018)
Slogan"We can"
National Assembly
0 / 107
Website
http://www.fdp.am/

Free Democrats (Armenian: Ազատ դեմոկրատներ, romanized: Azat demokratner) is an Armenian liberal, Pro-European political party.[5] It was founded in 2011 by Khachatur Kokobelyan.

History

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Some Free Democrats party members participated in the 2012 Armenian parliamentary election under the Heritage Party list. Following the election, Heritage won 5.78% of the vote.

The party participated in the 2017 Armenian parliamentary election, however the party won just 0.94% of the vote, failing to win any political representation.[6] Khachatur Kokobelyan headed the party list, while Hrant Bagratyan (former Prime Minister of Armenia and leader of the Freedom Party) was the candidate for the post of Prime Minister.

Prior to the 2018 Armenian parliamentary election, the Free Democrats formed a political alliance known as the We Alliance with the Hanrapetutyun Party, another pro-Western and pro-European party in Armenia. During the election campaign, the Free Democrats advocated that Armenia should withdraw its membership from the Eurasian Union and pursue closer relations with the European Union.[7] The party also advocated for visa-free travel for Armenian citizens to the EU's Schengen Area. The Alliance received 2.00% of the votes. As this was lower than the 5% minimum threshold required, the We Alliance of Hanrapetutyn and Free Democrats failed to gain any representation in the National Assembly.

In November 2019, the party hosted American Ambassador to Armenia Lynne M. Tracy at the parties headquarters in Yerevan, where a range of issues were discussed.[8]

On 21 April 2021, the Free Democrats had confirmed it would participate in the 2021 Armenian parliamentary elections.[9] However, the party ultimately did not register to participate. Currently, the party acts as an extra-parliamentary force.

Ideology

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The Free Democrats believe in establishing a more democratic Armenia, including developing a stronger civil society, a liberal market economy, greater protection of the environment and integrating Armenia into the European Union. The party firmly believes that Armenia's future is connected with Europe.[10]

Party leader Khachatur Kokobelyan, had previously submitted a draft resolution calling for Armenia's Eurasian Union membership to be terminated. Kokobelyan stated that, "After joining the Eurasian Union, Armenia has faced greater problems, for example, in its relations with the EU, than it has received dividends. I am confident that we do not need this organization. After leaving it, Armenia will have alternatives."[11]

In addition, the Free Democrats believe in strengthening Armenia's democracy, promoting human rights and equality, the rule of law and support for civil society. In terms of economics, the party advocates for a strong liberal market economy and believes that by following the European path of development and standards, Armenia will achieve greater prosperity and security.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Armenia 2017: An introduction to the party-political landscape European Friends of Armenia, March 2017
  2. ^ Free Democrats Party: Armenia should become full EU member News.am, 10 March 2017
  3. ^ Free Democrats: Armenia should leave EAEU and buy gas from Iran News.am, 10 March 2017
  4. ^ 'Armenia must withdraw from EaEU:' "Free Democrats" campaign kicks off from Arabkir Aravot.am, 10 March 2017
  5. ^ Program (in Armenian), Official website of Free Democrats party
  6. ^ Four Parties Set to be Represented in Armenia’s New Parliament The Armenian Weekly, 3 April 2017
  7. ^ "'Armenia must withdraw from EaEU:' "Free Democrats" campaign kicks off from Arabkir". www.aravot-en.am.
  8. ^ LLC, Helix Consulting. "Free Democrats party leadership, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia discuss key domestic, foreign political issues - aysor.am - Hot news from Armenia". www.aysor.am.
  9. ^ "ՏԵՍԱՆՅՈՒԹ. «Ազատ դեմոկրատներ» կուսակցությունը կմասնակցի ընտրություններին. ինչ քննարկումներ են անցկացնում | Armlur – Լուրեր Հայաստանից".
  10. ^ "Free Democrats Party | ԱԶԱՏ ԴԵՄՈԿՐԱՏՆԵՐ ԿՈՒՍԱԿՑՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ".
  11. ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Karabakh Challenges Armenian-Russian Alliance". Refworld.
  12. ^ "Free Democrats Party | ԱԶԱՏ ԴԵՄՈԿՐԱՏՆԵՐ ԿՈՒՍԱԿՑՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ".
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