Impotent Statements Instead of Solutions: A Clash Between Yerevan's Mayor and the Leader of the Light Faction

A heated debate took place during today's extraordinary session of the Yerevan City Council between Mayor Hayk Marutyan and David Khajakyan, the leader of the Light faction.

Mayor Marutyan stated that he had been informed during a procedural consultation that there had been another conflict at the area rented by the Sanitek company. "People came, blocked the area, and said, ‘Enough, it's enough, you are disturbing,’" he said.

The mayor addressed David Khajakyan: "Since you are close to the former deputy mayor Nikoyan, whose father rented the area to Sanitek, please pass on that as he is making money through this, he should also arrange things on his end. It cannot go on like this. If I am wrong, according to unconfirmed reports, you are quite close to Mr. Nikoyan."

In response, David Khajakyan said, "First of all, you seem to be the one engaged in courier services with such calls to me. I am not involved in such matters. Secondly, instead of making toothless and, I apologize for my expression, impotent statements, it is in your hands to also take action. Is the area problematic? You are the mayor, and the prime minister is also your representative, the parliament has given you a majority, so resolve this issue."

Khajakyan added that he believes Sanitek should vacate the area and that he had previously held a protest against it. "Regarding our working relations with Mr. Nikoyan, allow me to remind you of an important thing: You offered Mr. Nikoyan to be your advisor, and only Mr. Areyan from the former deputy mayors is here now. When you make such statements, look at your own trajectory and past journey," Khajakyan asserted.

Hayk Marutyan insisted that his request stands: David Khajakyan should go and deliver his message to Vahe Nikoyan and his father. "As for all the matters concerning us, I assure you, everything is proceeding correctly to the Prosecutor's Office, NSS, and other investigative bodies, and each case will be addressed in order. In any case, the company for which you are making excuses is no longer capable of ensuring garbage collection in Yerevan," added the mayor.

"I apologize, I do not know how to play cards, but my friends said that after you, there's cabbage, I declare you cabbage, Mr. Mayor," said David Khajakyan.

Following this, a dispute escalated between the members of the Light and My Step factions, with both sides shouting at each other. "I understand you are getting nervous because people feel good, they smile, I understand you are anxious because there is freedom in the country, I understand you are annoyed that transparent elections are taking place today. All this is nerve-wracking, and we are moving forward with our agenda," Mayor Hayk Marutyan addressed the members of the Light faction.