Tigran Khachatryan is Unfamiliar with His Duties and is in a Panic, Reports 'Zhoghovurd'

'Zhoghovurd' newspaper reports that sources close to the government have indicated a growing impression within the executive branch that the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Tigran Khachatryan, is not in control of his responsibilities. According to our sources, Khachatryan is experiencing a 'panicked' state as he is expected to present the draft of Armenia's 2022 state budget to the National Assembly soon.

We have learned that in recent days, Khachatryan's deputies have been 'preparing' him to briefly present the budget draft during a government session, and thereafter to respond to opposition questions in the Assembly.

According to our information, until now, it has actually been his deputy Vahé Hovhannisyan, who was appointed deputy minister in August of this year, handling the ministry's functions in place of the minister. Hovhannisyan was previously an advisor to the Prime Minister on an honorary basis.

Moreover, there are heated discussions at the Ministry of Finance regarding Khachatryan's lack of knowledge in this field, as almost all preceding ministers had been 'masters' of their trade.

Now, the ministry is holding its breath, waiting to see what will happen in the Assembly when the minister presents the execution of the 2022 state budget.

Full article in today's newspaper edition.