Two Possible Paths for Armenia and Upcoming Snap Elections Will Be Pivotal: Ararat Mirzoyan

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ararat Mirzoyan, spoke today at a rally held in Republic Square, reflecting on the strength he has derived from citizens amidst their passage through a hellish ordeal.

“My humble gratitude and deep respect to you, for after the war, and following the post-war nightmare, you not only did not kneel, did not retreat, did not break, but found the strength within you to not renounce your dreams about Armenia. Moreover, you gave us strength, instilled hope in us, fortified us, and did not allow our allotted cross to fall from our shoulders. Together, we walked through hell, and only because you were by our side during this entire time, behind us, solely in front of us, we were not devoured by the demons and devils,” said Mirzoyan.

The next part of his speech was directed not only to those gathered in the square but also to all those whose faith in them has been shaken during this time, those who have begun to doubt whether it was right for him to participate in the 2018 revolution, and whether it was right to mandate power to the Civil Contract Party.

To answer these questions, Mirzoyan presented the changes made over the last three years, emphasizing that this span includes the first year when they did not hold a majority in the parliament, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and then the war. “In terms of economy and social policy: through avoiding corrupt interests and through fair governance, we have eliminated artificial monopolies, nearly eradicated the shadow economy, countless businesses have emerged from the shadows, and we have created around 85 thousand jobs – some new and some bringing businesses out of the shadows. Simultaneously, we have reduced the rates of all types of taxes,” listed Mirzoyan regarding economic achievements.

According to him, some now consider this to be ineptitude, audacity to claim that they managed better. “Of course, they also had impressive indicators, however, those indicators pertained to their personal property and finances. Those who stand here and those who have become disillusioned or hesitated: the outcome of these elections will determine not just our presence or absence from the platform but the continuation of the changes I have mentioned. You may be disappointed in us, but you cannot afford to be disillusioned with your dreams, you cannot dismiss your visions about your country; you cannot question freedom, equality, and democracy; you cannot cast doubt on the struggle you yourselves waged three years ago for those values,” he concluded.

Mirzoyan wrapped up his address with the following words: “At this juncture, Armenia has two possible paths, and the upcoming snap elections will be pivotal in choosing that path: 1. Surrender, break, return to the past, diminish the decisive role of the citizen, disenfranchise the citizen, hold fraudulent elections, systematic corruption and bribery, that fetid swamp from which the only way out seemed to be emigration; 2. Break through the wall of despair, exit the psychological deadlock, straighten our backs, continue reforms, and brick by brick build the future of Armenia.”