Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutin) : Ideology-Driven
Founded in 1890, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation was the governing party during Armenia's First Republic of 1918-1920. It is a nationalist party with a long history promoting Armenian cultural identity and advocates socialist principles. Banned during the Soviet era (though it remained active within the Armenian Diaspora), the party, also known as the Dashnak Party, was registered in Armenia in 1991. Charges of terrorism and attempted government coup were brought against it in 1994. President Robert Kocharian lifted the ban upon his election in 1998. Despite occasional criticism for the conduct of elections, the party has remained a Kocharian supporter since that time.
That relationship, however, has not always been an easy one. As a socialist party, the ARF has encountered difficulties being part of a government implementing liberal economic reforms. At the same time, the party has felt free to criticize certain negative phenomena in Armenian political life such as corruption or vote-fixing. For the 2007 election, ARF has threatened to join the opposition if a free and fair vote is not held.
Thanks to its past role, support for the Dashnaks tends to hold steady. Many surveys place it at roughly 5 percent of voters.
Elections Presence: 111 candidates on the party list for proportional voting; one candidate in a first-past-the-post district.
Slogan: "Dashnaktsutiun, our old friend"
Website: http:// www.arfd.am
Address: 30 Hanapetuian St., Yerevan
Tel: (374-10) 52-39-91
Pro-Government:
Republican Party of Armenia
Prosperous Armenia Party
United Labor Party
Opposition:
Country of Law Party
People's Party of Armenia
National Unity Party
Republic Party
Heritage Party
Opposition Parties Cry Foul Over Television Coverage
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav042707a.shtml
Demands for Voter Passports Spark Election Controversy
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav040407.shtml
Armenia Allows Dual Citizenship Amid Controversy
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav022607.shtml
Armenia's Ruling Coalition Beset by Renewed Infighting (2004)
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav021304.shtml
Armenian Leader Unites Top Allies in Coalition Government (2003)
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav061303a.shtml
Parliamentary Elections Fail to Change Status Quo (2003)
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav052703a.shtml
