You Are Not Only Dishonest, But Also Shamefully 'Simple-Minded', Perhaps Blind: Galstyan to Pashinyan

Member of the Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), former MP Lilith Galstyan wrote on her Facebook page: “YOU ARE NOT HONEST AND SHAMEFULLY ‘SIMPLE-MINDED’: ‘Under the Prime Minister’s secret directive, the salary of ministers has been doubled.’ Since this revelation has struck the public like boiling water yesterday, I am trying to find a reason or assessment for it. It is not coming out well; it isn’t diplomatic nor political. This is simply dishonest and immoral.

Can you imagine, when a few months ago, the public revolted over the well-known cases of bonuses (again, disclosed), trying to find logic and procedures, representatives of the ruling political force explained and justified themselves, saying it was a legacy of the previous regime, they would review it, and other fairy tales… Yes, fairy tales, because probably alongside it, a secret pact was being developed for increasing ministerial salaries.

You are not only dishonest, but also shamefully ‘simple-minded,’ perhaps blind. How can you think that you can conceal… Conceal, lie, deceive, but for whom? For the people, through whose wings and legs did you come to power? For the people, whose name you are using to make secret decisions?

I and many others have the right to think that you can secretly make other fateful decisions as well. And you almost declared direct democracy; it was a decision in the style of Ancient Rome’s forum. To be honest, every time I hear the term closed session, I think it is about a question related to the Artsakh issue. Meanwhile… while Azerbaijan's defense budget has increased by 20.9% in the draft state budget for 2020, the RA Government has decided not to increase the defense budget, directing funds to other 'peaceful' purposes.

With these peaceful indicators, the minister's salary has become 1.5 million drams, the deputy minister's 1 million 60 thousand drams, and the chief secretary's salary is 870 thousand drams. Everyone has the right to live with dignity and to be compensated accordingly, especially those in high responsibility, but why in secret and FROM WHOM?

YOU, not long ago, were the government and the National Assembly of the people…”