Who Would Imagine That the Price of Potatoes Would Reach 800 Drams, While Cabbage Reaches 450? Norair Norikian

Leader of the "Just Armenia" party Norair Norikian writes, "The outrageous price hikes of consumer goods, which have a single name: DISASTER... While the respected authorities and the esteemed parliamentary opposition are engaged in the process of 'wasting each other away', the reality is darker than their political existence.

The outrageous price hikes of consumer goods are beyond any logic and control. No one is accountable for what is happening in the market. Who would have imagined that the price of potatoes would become 800 drams, while cabbage would reach 450?

Compared to April of last year, this year there has been an inflation rate of 8.4%. According to the statistical committee, the inflation of baked goods and cereals in April constituted 15.7%, rice increased by 17.7%, pasta by 26.5%, beef and veal by 10.6%, fresh and frozen pork by 20.1%, fresh and frozen fish by 24.7%, milk by 12%, cheese and cottage cheese by 20.8%, butter by 9.4%, and olive oil by 3.3%. However, the prices of vegetables have outrageously increased by 48.8%.

All players in the political arena, especially the government, must wake up and demonstrate how we will extricate ourselves from this situation. The country is in a serious economic predicament, and the future is uncertain. People continue to leave their homeland. This spring, farmers have been left alone with their burdens, while the price of diesel has reached 670 AMD per liter.

We are experiencing a significant decline in the agriculture sector. This year, there has been serious frost damage. The government is obligated to provide a report on what specific measures it has implemented over the past year to improve the state of the economy and clearly highlight which aspects of its electoral or government program it has realized.

If it weren't for the thousands of people coming to Armenia due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, bringing financial resources with them, what results would the government be discussing today? And who said that these people will permanently remain in Armenia? All of this speaks to the lack of effective state governance. There is no concept for developing the economy or specific sectoral strategies. Until when must we remain in this self-deception process?"