Hot debates over the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Party's project "On the crisis in the government system" were launched in the Armenian parliament, on February 24. If passed, the project suggests a power shift in the country.
To substantiate the project, ANC highlighted such problems in the government system as the heavy social and economic situation, growing unemployment and poverty, atmosphere of injustice, election rigging, lack of public confidence in the authorities etc.
ARFD representative, MP Artsvik Minasyan, in turn, said the government crisis in Armenia has become systematic and it cannot be overcome, unless it is accepted. He urged constitutional reforms and transition to the parliamentary system of government to avoid bloodshed and color revolution.
Head of Orinats Yerkir Party faction Heghine Bisharyan, said she is not sure whether there is crisis in the government system, but there are serious problems that, if not settled, will lead to it. She addressed the situation with Prosperous Armenia Party: "The second largest political force was suppressed within 24 hours, an entire political team was frightened with warnings about bloodshed in case of disobediences. Today, the PAP faction is reluctant to boycott the Parliament meetings. Is it crisis of the government or not?" As for the government's statements about the need to fight feudalism, Bisharyan said: "Those who speak about the fight against feudalism are all feudals."
Head of the Heritage Party Rubik Hakobyan pointed at the Prosperous Armenia Party that was ousted from the political life in a flash. "This means that the system is sick and the authorities are responsible for it," he said. "Only sick people can blame the opposition for unprecedented migration and falling living standards of the population," he said. According to the opposition, it is silly to entrust the prime minister and finance minister with the fight against corruption, given their colossal wealth. As for the decision to strip Gagik Tsarukyan of his parliament seat, Hakobyan said there are many other parliamentarians from the ruling party who also fail to attend the parliament. If they want to separate business from politics, he said, there are also Republican parliamentarians who have big businesses and should leave the political like Tsarukyan. "However, they have targeted Tsarukyan and his political party, which is nothing but farce," Hakobyan said.
Parliament Vice Speaker Hermine Naghdalyan, in turn, slammed the opposition saying "it is lame in three legs." She said the opposition offers no real steps to settle the problems in the country, just demands the authorities to leave.
"Our opponents point at a political crisis and crisis in government. They say Armenia has faced an international isolation. How many isolated countries cooperate with the EU and Moscow?!" she said.