"It is not that good to be rich in a poor country," Tsarukian told the weekly 168 Hours in 2006. "It is better to be rich in a rich country, and that's my goal."
Born in 1956, this world champion arm wrestler became one of Armenia's richest residents during the first half of the 1990s. Some analysts have roughly estimated that his personal wealth today could stand at well beyond $100 million. His business interests, largely concentrated in the Multi Group conglomerate, range from food processing and construction to civil aviation. In 2003, Tsarukian took a common path for Armenian businesspeople, was elected to the National Assembly as a non-partisan deputy from his hometown of Abovian, to the south of Yerevan. In May 2006 he became the official leader of the Bargavach Hayastan (Prosperous Armenia) Party, an event which pushed this previously unknown party to the forefront of political life.
Considerable controversy has dogged charitable activities associated with an organization headed by Tsarukian, which critics characterize as blatant vote-buying. Tsarukian and party officials, however, deny the charge, pointing out that even before joining Prosperous Armenia, Tsarukian was known as a philanthropist, especially in his native region of Kotayk.
Many Armenian analysts and journalists believe that he joined the party under pressure from President Kocharian, who, it is alleged, wanted to set up an alternative party to the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. Tsarukian himself, although a member of parliament, has been at pains to downplay his own political ambitions. During a February 2007 party congress, he stated that he did not seek any political post.
Pro-Government:
Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian
Vahan Hovhannisian
Opposition:
Artur Baghdasarian
Stepan Demirchian
Artashes Geghamian
Aram Sarkisian
Raffi Hovannisian
To Win Votes, Armenian Parties Promise Road Repairs, Cable TV and More: April 2006
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav041707.shtml
Violence Mars Armenia's Campaign for a Trouble-Free Vote: April 2006
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav041307a.shtml
Demands for Voter Passports Spark Election Controversy: April 2006
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav040407.shtml
Youth Group Pushes for Change: April 2006
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav040507b.shtml
Prosperous Armenia Party Wants "Serious" Role in Governing Armenia: February 2007
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav022107a.shtml
"Oligarchic" Party Gaining Ground Ahead of 2007 Vote: December 2006
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav122006.shtml
