Armenian authorities continue to deceive population
By Rashid Shirinov
The Armenian economy is very close to the turning point where collapse begins in earnest.
A number of studies and statistics show that the standard of living in Armenia is very low, while the rates of unemployment and poverty are extremely high.
But, surprisingly the Armenian government has published a report on “economic growth”, stressing that the growth is satisfactory. This caused bewilderment and irritation of ordinary Armenians and experts.
“The authorities have always stated that there is an economic growth, but in reality, if there is something that is growing in Armenia, it is immigration – nothing else shows growth,” said Anush Sedrakyan, publicist and political scientist.
“I once asked where this economic growth is, and they said: well, the income of the rich is growing up,” she noted in her recent interview with 1in.am. “The incomes of some oligarchs, the rich, maybe have increased. However, the gross income is primarily determined by the increase in economic status of citizens, but not by the wealth of four or five oligarchs.”
Sedrakyan further noted that there was no government in Armenia which did not resorted to tricks and did not hide the deteriorating economic situation by cheerful, optimistic statement.
“Everyone should feel the improvement of the economic situation in the country,” she said. “However, Armenians cannot feel this improvement as it doesn’t exist. In contrast, people’s living standards continue worsening. I am Yerevan State University lecturer, our salaries have been reduced because there are no students.”
Answering the question why parliamentary factions do not raise the issue of resignation of the government, she noted that even if the government or the president will resign, there is no guarantee that they will be replaced by a better government or president.
Thus, Armenians do not even expect a change for better in their country. If so, the situation in Armenia will not improve in the foreseeable future, as the current government has not been able to deal with the country’s problems for many years.
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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov
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