Azernews.Az

By Mushvig Mehdiyev

Armenians are losing trust in their officials capabilities as social problems remaining unresolved across the country.

A survey conducted by Sociometer Sociological Center of 4,400 people in 82 communities of Armenia and 12 administrative districts of Yerevan showed that 72 percent of the respondents point a finger of blame at the president, the prime minister and the National Assembly speaker, keeping them responsible for unresolved problems.

The current political and economic deadlock in the post-Soviet country has badly affected the people, who are desperately looking for a way to survive.

Director of the Center, Aharon Adibekyan presented the Authorities' Functionality 2014 ranking data classifying the authorities' performances in six categories - situational positive impact, capability and usefulness in resolving social problems, meeting applications, lifestyle and public reaction.

The survey revealed that the residents of Armenia are losing trust in the authorities.

"About 21.5 percent of the surveyed people hope for receiving help from either international institutions, or Russia and the U.S.," Adibekyan said.

Armenia is facing a growing outflow of population which is triggered by unbearable social conditions. Widespread unemployment and low salaries in the former Soviet Union country have forced residents to seek jobs abroad. Russia and European countries are the main destinations where Armenians desperately look for greener pastures.

Adibekyan noted that many Armenians want to see better job, higher pay and more retirement benefits plus state assistance for small businesses.

Domestic policy of Armenian government has always been unsatisfactory, as it failed to reach the pre-defined goals. The government forecasted a 7 percent economic growth in the country in 2013, as President Serzh Sargsyan had strictly urged the officials to reach the goal. He even threatened the government officials with resignation in case of failure. But in reality, only half of the forecasted figure, that is 3.5 percent growth was recorded to underline the ineffective policies of the government. Furthermore, Armenian authorities acknowledged their failure to ensure a 5.2 percent economic growth set in the state budget for 2014.

The International Monetary Fund, forecasted a 4.3-percent growth for Armenia this year, but didn't exclude to revise the figure towards a lower index against the backdrop of the fall in remittances from Russia.

Inside disagreement in Armenia is increasing amid the government's inability to improve the situation.

The recent amendments to the law of Turnover Tax, which will come into force from October 1, have sparked unrest among traders in Armenia. Based on the law, an owner of a business enterprise should submit a document on their commodity circulation and pay taxes. Entrepreneurs claim that the government wants to rob their pockets, instead of supporting them.

The passive approach of the authorities in dealing with the issue has cast more doubt on the country's future.