Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Syrian-Armenian scholar and politician, 1st President of Armenia

Levon Hakobi Ter-Petrosyan, often referred to by his initials LTP, is a pivotal figure in modern Armenian history. Born on 9 January 1946, his full name in Armenian is Լևոն Հակոբի Տեր-Պետրոսյան. A distinguished Armenian politician, he holds the significant distinction of being the first President of the independent Republic of Armenia, serving from its inception in 1991 until his resignation in February 1998.

Early Life and Political Ascent

Prior to his presidency, Levon Ter-Petrosyan established himself as a respected academic. He served as a senior researcher at the Matenadaran, formally known as the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts in Yerevan. This renowned institution houses a rich collection of ancient Armenian manuscripts and historical documents, reflecting Ter-Petrosyan's background in philology and scholarship.

His political career gained prominence in 1988 when he emerged as a leading figure in the Karabakh movement. This popular national movement advocated for the unification of the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) with Armenia, a principle often referred to as "Miatsum." The movement gained significant momentum during the final years of the Soviet Union, challenging Moscow's authority and mobilizing large segments of the Armenian population in a quest for self-determination for the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, an Azerbaijani SSR administrative unit.

Presidency of Independent Armenia (1991-1998)

Following Armenia's declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in September 1991 – an event marked by a nationwide referendum – Ter-Petrosyan was elected as the nation's first president. In the October 1991 presidential elections, he secured an overwhelming mandate from the public, receiving approximately 83% of the votes. His presidency commenced at a critical juncture, as Armenia navigated the complexities of post-Soviet transition and the escalating conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.

A significant challenge during his tenure was leading the country through the First Nagorno-Karabakh War (1992-1994) against neighboring Azerbaijan. This intense military conflict arose from the long-standing ethnic and territorial disputes over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Under his leadership, Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh forces achieved substantial military gains, which ultimately led to a ceasefire signed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in May 1994. This ceasefire established de facto Armenian control over most of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories, though no final peace agreement was reached during his presidency.

Controversy and Resignation

Ter-Petrosyan's second term was marked by significant political turmoil, primarily stemming from the 1996 presidential election. He was widely accused of election rigging, which triggered widespread public discontent. Thousands of citizens took to the streets of Yerevan and other cities to protest the official results, alleging electoral fraud. These mass rallies were notably led by Vazgen Manukyan, the official runner-up in the election. Manukyan, a former close colleague of Ter-Petrosyan, had previously served as Armenia's first Prime Minister and later as Defence Minister, highlighting the deep internal divisions within the political elite.

The protests were met with a forceful suppression by military units, further escalating tensions. The culmination of these internal political struggles and his administration's handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process led to Ter-Petrosyan's resignation. Key disagreements arose with influential government members, particularly then-Defence Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and Prime Minister Robert Kocharyan, over a proposed peace settlement for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ter-Petrosyan advocated for a more pragmatic "package solution" that involved significant concessions to Azerbaijan, viewing it as the only viable path to long-term peace and economic development for Armenia. However, his opponents, including Sargsyan and Kocharyan, favored a "step-by-step" approach that prioritized the security and self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh with fewer immediate territorial concessions. Unable to reconcile these fundamental differences and facing increasing pressure from within his own government, Levon Ter-Petrosyan officially resigned on 3 February 1998.

Political Comeback and Opposition Leadership

Following his resignation, Ter-Petrosyan largely withdrew from active political life for nearly a decade. However, he made a significant political comeback in September 2007, announcing his intention to run for president in the 2008 elections. His return was widely seen as a response to perceived stagnation and corruption under the then-ruling administration.

The 2008 presidential election pitted him against his former Prime Minister, Serzh Sargsyan, who was the incumbent Prime Minister at the time. According to official results, Ter-Petrosyan garnered 21.5% of the total votes. However, he vehemently disputed these results, alleging widespread electoral fraud and calling for new elections. This led to a series of large-scale mass protests by thousands of his supporters in Yerevan's Freedom Square, lasting for over a week. These protests culminated in a tragic crackdown by government forces, involving police and military, on 1 March 2008. The dispersal of the protesters resulted in the deaths of ten people, including eight civilians and two law enforcement officers, marking one of the darkest days in independent Armenia's history and leading to a state of emergency.

Founding the Armenian National Congress (ANC)

In the aftermath of the 2008 events, on 1 August 2008, Levon Ter-Petrosyan founded the Armenian National Congress (ANC). This broad-based opposition coalition brought together more than a dozen political parties and non-governmental organizations, consolidating the fragmented opposition movement under his leadership. At the time, the ANC emerged as the primary opposition force in Armenia, largely operating outside parliamentary structures and primarily engaging in "street struggle" through mass rallies and demonstrations against Serzh Sargsyan's government.

The ANC continued its advocacy, notably organizing significant mass rallies in 2011. These sustained protests put considerable pressure on the government, forcing it to grant several political concessions, which included the release of some political prisoners and initiating dialogue on electoral reforms, demonstrating the ANC's capacity to influence policy outside the legislature.

In the 2012 parliamentary elections, the ANC managed to secure parliamentary representation, receiving 7.1% of the popular vote and gaining 7 seats in the National Assembly. However, this parliamentary presence proved to be temporary. The ANC subsequently lost all its seats in the elections that followed and has not re-entered parliament since. Ter-Petrosyan continued to lead the ANC's electoral list in the snap parliamentary elections held in June 2021, but the party once again failed to gain enough votes to secure seats in the parliament, indicating a decline in its electoral strength in recent years.

Frequently Asked Questions about Levon Ter-Petrosyan

When did Levon Ter-Petrosyan serve as President of Armenia?
He served as the first President of Armenia from 1991 until his resignation on 3 February 1998.
What was the Karabakh movement?
The Karabakh movement was a popular national movement in the late 1980s that advocated for the unification of the Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia, a concept known as "Miatsum." Levon Ter-Petrosyan was a key leader of this movement.
Why did Levon Ter-Petrosyan resign from the presidency in 1998?
His resignation was primarily due to irreconcilable disagreements with key government members, notably Defence Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and Prime Minister Robert Kocharyan, over a peace proposal for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ter-Petrosyan advocated for a more concessionary approach to achieve peace, which was opposed by his hardline colleagues.
What were the "March 1 events" of 2008 related to Ter-Petrosyan?
The "March 1 events" refer to the violent dispersal of mass protests led by Levon Ter-Petrosyan's supporters following the disputed 2008 presidential election. These protests, which alleged electoral fraud, resulted in the deaths of ten people after police and military forces were deployed to suppress them.
What is the Armenian National Congress (ANC)?
The Armenian National Congress (ANC) is a political coalition founded by Levon Ter-Petrosyan on 1 August 2008. It served as the main opposition force in Armenia for several years, comprising various political parties and NGOs, and was active in organizing mass rallies against the government.