Bright Armenia

Bright Armenia (Armenian: Լուսավոր Հայաստան) is a classical liberal[2] political party in Armenia founded on December 12, 2015.[3]

Bright Armenia

Լուսավոր Հայաստան
LeaderEdmon Marukyan
FoundedDecember 12, 2015 (2015-12-12)
HeadquartersYerevan
IdeologyClassical liberalism[1]
Pro-Europeanism[1]
Anti-EAEU[1]
Political positionCentre
National affiliationBright Alliance (2018)
Way Out Alliance (2016–2018)
European affiliationAlliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
National Assembly
17 / 132
Yerevan City Council
1 / 65
Website
brightarmenia.am

History

In the Armenian parliamentary election 2017 and Yerevan City Council election 2017, it took part in the elections as part of the Way Out Alliance (YELQ) gaining few seats.

In the 2018 Yerevan City Council elections it run as a part of the Bright Alliance. The Alliance won three seats, two seats were taken by Bright Armenia and one seat was taken by Hanrapetutyun Party.

Following the 2018 Armenian parliamentary election, Bright Armenia became the third largest party in the National Assembly and one of the two official opposition parties, the other being Prosperous Armenia.

Bright Armenia is an affiliated member of the European Liberal Forum's Institute of Liberal Politics.[4]

Political position

Bright Armenia is a liberal, pro-European political party. Edmon Marukyan called for raising relations with the European Union to a strategic partnership level.[5] Party members also advocate for visa-free travel of Armenian citizens to the EU's Schengen Area.[6] The party opposes Armenia's current membership in the Eurasian Union and believes that Armenia should withdraw its membership and begin to negotiate an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area with the European Union.[7] Bright Armenia supports Armenia's full membership in the EU and wishes to begin the first steps of accession negotiations without delay.[7]

The party manifesto states, "Armenia should show initiative in pan-European processes and structures, presenting itself as the true bearer of the values of European civilization and democracy."[8]

Despite the party's Pro-European orientation, Bright Armenia also believes in maintaining positive cooperation with Russia and ensuring that the interests of Armenia are not compromised in favor of other countries.[9]

Party council

The party council consists of 12 members.[10]

Electoral record

Parliamentary elections

Party leader Edmon Marukyan, was elected as an independent MP in Armenian parliamentary election 2012.[12]

Election Alliance Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
2017 part of Way Out Alliance 122,049 7.78
9 / 105
 3rd Opposition (2017–2018)
Government (2018)
2018 none 80,024 6.37
18 / 132
 15 3rd Opposition

Local elections

Yerevan City Council elections
Election Alliance Mayor candidate Votes % Seats in City Council +/– Position
2017 part of Way Out Alliance
Nikol Pashinyan
70,730
21
14 / 65
 2nd
2018 part of Bright Alliance
Artak Zeynalyan
18,114
4.99
3 / 65
 11 3rd

See also

References
  1. Edwards, Maxim (13 December 2018). "Armenia's Revolution Will Not be Monopolized". Foreign Policy. Bright Armenia is an avowedly pro-EU and classical liberal political party...
  2. Edwards, Maxim. "Armenia's Revolution Will Not be Monopolized". Foreign Policy. 13 December 2018
  3. ""Լուսավոր Հայաստան"-ի հիմնադիր համագումարը. 1in.am. ուղիղ (տեսանյութ)". a1plus.am.
  5. "Bright Armenia: Relations with EU must reach strategic level". news.am. Retrieved 2018-11-29.
  6. "Opening dialogue path for visa liberalization with EU among Armenia's priority tasks". armenpress.am. Retrieved Jan 28, 2020.
  7. "Armenia – European Model Country – Future EU Member State | www.brightarmenia.am". Bright Armenia Party. Retrieved Jan 28, 2020.
  8. "Լուսավոր Հայաստան Կուսակցության ԱԺ նախընտրական ծրագիր | www.brightarmenia.am". Bright Armenia Party. Retrieved Jan 28, 2020.
  9. "Armenia – European Model Country – Future EU Member State | www.brightarmenia.am". Bright Armenia Party. Retrieved Jan 28, 2020.
  10. "www.brightarmenia.am". Bright Armenia Party. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  11. "www.brightarmenia.am". Bright Armenia Party. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  12. "Էդմոն Մարուքյանի "Լուսավոր Հայաստան"-ը անձերի դեմ չի պայքարի". Azatutyun (in Armenian).
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