Hayk Marutyan Acts 'Behind the Scenes': Who is Pulling the Strings?

The newspaper 'Zhoghovurd' reports: 'While public and political figures in Armenia have initiated a flash mob over the increase in property tax and are criticizing the government, the mayor of Yerevan, Hayk Marutyan, maintains a peculiar silence.

As is known, on June 25, 2020, the National Assembly approved in the second reading the draft law on amendments and supplements to the Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia, which proposes changes to the current thresholds and rates of property tax. Overall, the property tax for apartments and private houses in Armenia will increase by up to 8 times. Moreover, these increased amounts will be directed to the community budget.

This means that the significantly increased property tax amounts for residents, especially in the Center of Yerevan, will go into the Yerevan City Hall's budget. Various officials from the city hall have indicated that this amount is crucial for them.

It is interesting to consider what the mayor of Yerevan, Hayk Marutyan, thinks about this draft law and the situation it has created. 'Zhoghovurd' newspaper sent a written inquiry to the Yerevan City Hall to clarify the mayor's position on this matter and whether he would propose any changes, especially considering the dissatisfaction of Yerevan residents.

In response to our inquiry, the mayor's press secretary, Hakob Karapetyan, stated: 'The mayor's position regarding the laws concerning the Yerevan community, including proposals and/or objections, is typically presented to the legislative body during the law adoption phase, following the established procedure.' This suggests that the adopted law was pre-approved with the mayor of Yerevan, and Marutyan has agreed to impose an additional social burden on the residents of Yerevan. He is simply not doing it in person, as to not appear antagonistic to the residents, but rather through his subordinates and the deputies of the National Assembly.'

For more details, see today's issue of the newspaper.