Aravot: No Time to Wait. The Current Government is Undeserving of Armenia, Vanetsyan

Aravot has interviewed Arthur Vanetsyan, the president of the "Homeland" party. Below are excerpts from the interview:

Mr. Vanetsyan, yesterday you were in Vanadzor for the opening of the "Homeland" party office, and we saw that you interacted with party members and the public. What was the most pressing issue for people during your interactions?

People have many concerns—ranging from a sense of being deceived to feeling defenseless in the conditions of the pandemic, both psychologically and in terms of daily life. Many do not see a future; they only realize that their lives are worsening day by day, despite having had great hopes for a better life. The challenges are increasing like a snowball in all directions. Everyone sees and feels it on their own skin. I continually meet with people of various backgrounds and initiate discussions in diverse formats. These days, the main topic of our discussions is the situation in the country. We are very concerned—very much so. Continuing like this is no longer tolerable.

Let me ask you a few simple questions: when you look at all the surrounding countries, their governments' actions, the declining rates of virus spread, and compare them with Armenia, what do you think? When you read about the plans for economic projects, revitalization of tourism, and attracting international funding from countries that are recovering from the pandemic, and mentally compare it with the prospects awaiting Armenia in the coming months, what do you think? When you see how many governments and societies became united in a single combat against the deadly wave during the pandemic and compare that with the reality of Armenia, what do you think?

I will tell you what I think. Our country and our people did not deserve this situation. The current government is undeserving of Armenia. It is sad, very sad. We are on the brink of a great disaster. If we do not become serious now and take action, things will get very bad. This government has failed in the fight against the pandemic and must leave as soon as possible. Until we resolve this issue and do so quickly, we should expect only a deepening crisis and an alarming number of deaths.

The capabilities of this government are limited to this, nothing more. And what are the decision-makers busy with these days? Let me tell you. They are raising property tax on the rich and discussing switching to universal income declaration. People are dying by the dozens daily, while the government is preoccupied with yet another foolishness. Isn’t it enough to blindly imitate the international norms that established countries follow, without understanding them, as if you are doing your job?

Due to the government’s hasty policies, investments in Armenia have not only been zeroed out, but for a long time to come, no rational investor will direct their gaze towards us.

For more details, refer to today’s edition of the newspaper.