We call on the government to restrain its own fears and return to fulfilling the promises made to the people: Iveta Tonoyan

Member of the National Assembly from the Prosperous Armenia faction Iveta Tonoyan wrote on her Facebook page: “The Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mane Gevorgyan responded on FB before the speech of Prosperous Armenia party President Gagik Tsarukyan was even completed, clearly indicating that the real author of the text is hiding behind her. This is not the first time.

We assumed that the government, which has completely failed its anti-epidemic policy against the coronavirus and left society alone with the virus and social needs, is in panic, but we did not envision the real scale of this panic. Only a fearful government that has lost dialogue with society can react in such a manner to objective criticism, especially since Mr. Tsarukyan’s main theme in his speech was national consensus, solidarity, and a call to unite the national potential.

However, the spokesperson's response is noteworthy in that it contains obvious elements of political cynicism and blackmail. Through its spokesperson, the government in essence announces that it can unleash criminal prosecution against anyone who enjoys the respect of the society and dares to criticize the government’s unpromising policies under fabricated pretexts.

Thus, the government is declaring war not on the coronavirus and poverty but rather on the opposition, specifically the largest parliamentary opposition faction. It becomes clear that the controversial laws were adopted not to establish legality and justice in the country but to be used against the opposition as a means of coercion.

Gagik Tsarukyan reaffirms all the thoughts expressed in his speech, calling on the government to put an end to political blackmail and return to the realm of dialogue and civilized debate. The state of emergency should not be used to silence the opposition but to combat the coronavirus.

Gagik Tsarukyan's activities have been in the public eye, and no aspect of his actions can be problematic from a legal standpoint. We call on the government to restrain its own fears and return to fulfilling the promises made to the people.”