Gagik Tsarukyan Issues Statement

People want widespread changes. There are problems that have accumulated over the years. This was written by the leader of the Prosperous Armenia Party, Gagik Tsarukyan.

“In the past few weeks, I have been visiting our villages and different regions. I want to share my impressions.

1. People want widespread changes. There are problems that have accumulated over the years; no one is trying to solve them, talk to people, or propose a solution.
2. 80-90% of the problems can be resolved in a very short time with proper management. We just need to understand the problem and find the right solution.
3. We have a brilliant population — hard-working, honest, truly proud. People are broken by a difficult life, disappointed that there is no one to resolve their problems.
4. The villagers are left alone with their problems. This is unacceptable.

During conversations, people raise new questions that must definitely be included in our programs. You know that the pre-election program of the Prosperous Armenia Party is called 'Proposed to Armenia.' This program is not written in closed rooms with a statement of 'this is it,' but rather, we go to the people, visit villages and cities, listen to their concerns, problems, and also their proposals for solutions. The specialists then compile all these into a comprehensive plan and present their solutions in the program.

Now, the people have asked me to focus on a few issues:

1. Loans: People need help. There is no family without loans, which they have been paying interest on for years without touching the principal. This issue needs to be resolved; after all, banks should serve our citizens, not the other way around.
2. Concerns of farmers regarding agricultural product consumption: In city offices, people talk and film, gathering political capital, but the farmer is worried about what will happen to their crop in case of possible issues with the EAEU. For many years, they have taken loans, planted gardens and greenhouses, and are now starting to reap the harvest. There is a fear among people that if political problems arise, it will be the farmers who suffer first. In every village I have entered, that has been one of the first questions.
3. The point system for taxi drivers' fines: It is not right to set the same point system for everyone. A person drives a taxi from morning till evening and, through honest labor, supports their family; we put that person in a desperate situation for one minor violation. How can that be acceptable? The point system for taxi drivers and regular commuters cannot be the same.
4. The property tax issue: It is an unfair law, and this cannot be tolerated. The law needs to be changed. Our team will present a specific proposal on this matter.

We will continue to visit villages and cities, go through yards and houses, talk to people, listen, and formulate the issues together, and write our proposals for Armenia.