Aram Manukyan: Karen Karapetyan has reached the point where Hovik Abrahamyan was stuck for two years (video)
Republican lawmaker Gagik Melikyan cannot say how much the shadow economy has been curtailed during Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan’s first 100 days in office. “We cannot say at this moment how much the black economy has been curtailed. Moreover, no one can say the figures at the black market or measure the size of the shadow economy,” he said. Mr. Melikyan does not take different reports about the black market seriously and says they have a definite order to present fake figures. "The government should at least be aware of the minimum size. Should the cabinet be fully aware of figures, it will take steps to eliminate the shadow economy,” he stressed. The prime minister has reduced unproductive expenditures which is also part of the underground economy, the Republican lawmaker added. However, it is known that several days ago the Government purchased expensive congratulation cards. “Congratulations have never been ineffective, they are merely invented measures to notice different phenomena. I congratulate all of you without spending any money, Consider this an effective congratulation,” Mr. Melikyan said. Aram Manukyan, Secretary of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, is shocked by the premier’s 100 days in office. ‘How quickly this man has lost his reputation!’ he says. “He reached the rating of his predecessors much quicker than they would reach his own.” The opposition lawmaker still remembers that Karen Karapetyan instilled hope in people when he was appointed to the post of Prime Minister. But soon people felt profound disappointment. The new PM introduced a bill to the National Assembly that did not promise a rise in salaries, pensions or benefits. “Never has such a thing happened before. Salaries and pensions were increased at least on paper,” Mr. Manukyan said. The most unpleasant thing was that Karen Karapetyan became affiliated with the ruling Republican Party with his entire team. “In a short period of time, they proved that they would not refer to their predecessors, disclose any crime, moreover they would join the HHK and obey its orders.” Armenia's economy is entering the year 2017 with zero hope. The Prime Minister has reached the point where [former parliament speaker] Hovik Abrahamyan was stuck for two years.
