MPs Did Not Receive Bonuses, Immunity Has Already Developed on This Topic: Tunyan

“The topic of bonuses has been "refreshed" again today, and again it’s a lie,” wrote Babken Tunyan, a member of the National Assembly from the "My Step" faction and chairman of the permanent committee on economic issues, on his Facebook page. The full post is below.

“So, MPs have not received bonuses. And they will not. The bonuses of the MPs have been allocated to a treasury account created for the purpose of supporting the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Immunity has already developed regarding manipulations on this topic. But when people who have held public office for years read moral lectures on this matter, having “not known how” they amassed millions of dollars in wealth (money, real estate, businesses), somehow... how should I put it so it’s not too rude...

Agreed, it’s difficult to find words when people who have brazenly and unpunishedly stolen talk about morality. They have stolen from everyone: laborers barely able to support their families, pensioners who barely get by on their pensions, soldiers, children, teachers, and entrepreneurs... everyone.

People who have acquired businesses through their stolen wealth have not ceased to scrape from every possible source—with their mindset of thieves—covering everything from service vehicle fuel to bribes. They have been so damaging and reckless that, say, during this age of Viber and WhatsApp, they imposed several million drams in phone payments on the budget annually. With the money for every “pereryvi,” a family could live for a month.

And they have done all this against a backdrop of widespread poverty, ongoing emigration, and unemployment in the country. So tell me, how should we respond without being told, “it doesn’t suit an MP.”

Perhaps the right thing to do is to say nothing. So, continue to preach above our heads; it’s okay, we will endure. Get comfortable and read with a smile the slander from your “earned” millionaires, status holders, and “analysts” about today’s authorities. Maybe that helps you forget what people think of you. Rejoice that the country is going through difficulties. Perhaps that inspires you with hope... I understand you humanly.

In short, stay healthy. The important thing is to step outside these days, don’t get infected. Wash your hands frequently with soap or disinfect. I’m not sure it will help in your case, but it certainly won’t hurt. Wear masks. More precisely—keep your masks on,” it is stated in the post.