Armenian authorities rely on bare populism
By Abdul Kerimkhanov
Today, the majority of Armenian citizens are talking about the primitiveness of the authorities and its functional impotence. Having come to power after the velvet revolution, the Armenian government has no intelligible concept of development and it simply deals with giving promises, that is, it relies on bare populism.
Not only the ordinary population, but also the former authorities of Armenia are well aware of the inability of the current authorities. Armenia’s former president Robert Kocharyan considers that with this quality of management, the current authorities will not last long and that they have no prospects for re-election. He pointed out that the Armenian citizens are tired of populists and are likely to replace them in early parliamentary elections.
Kocharyan also mentioned that what is happening with the Armenian justice will remain a shame for Armenia for many years.
Today, Armenia has either hostile or cool relations with its neighbors. Due to the occupation of Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as unfounded claims against Turkey, Yerevan does not have diplomatic relations with both Ankara and Baku. Iran is in confrontation with the U.S. and under constant sanctions pressure, which undermines the possibilities of Armenia in this direction. Georgia is actively seeking NATO, while Armenia is in the opposite bloc.
Pashinyan’s government continues the policy of the previous authorities with regard to the neighbors. The lack of relations with two of the four neighbors does not allow Armenia to become a regional platform for different types of projects. Armenia does not possess any significant natural resources that could make the country attractive for large transnational corporations.
Moreover, the existing transport problems affect the production cost and severely narrow the possible segments of industrial development. There is a huge lack of literate human capital in Armenia, which is necessary for the development of the high-tech industry. In addition, the diaspora participation in the Armenian economic development has a clear downward trend.
Meanwhile, the demographic situation is worsening in Armenia, the aging of population prevails in the country, which deprives the country of the desired blooming economy.
It is obvious that the current Armenian authorities, relying on populism, are not able to solve the above-mentioned challenges facing the country.
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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94
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