‘Person changes’, not reforms, Armenian politicians say
Public sentiments are being shaped rather than a policy of reforms is being implemented, Armenian MP Tevan Poghosyan stated at a discussion on Armenia’s domestic political and economic developments.
He views all the changes in the context of “changes of persons” rather than system reforms.
“What are the authorities’ speaking of – changes, a new model, anti-corruption drive. They were actually word stock changes. If we speak of practical steps, we can only speak of changes of persons. The government has no program for changes to be tangible. One dissolved ministry does not mean any progress. It will be seen within a fortnight, after the government submits its program,” Mr Poghosyan said.
The government line-up and lack of political will for anti-corruption drive account for his mistrust.
“When asked if they want to change their policy, they say we’ll know when the program is ready,” Mr Poghosyan said.
According to him, opposition forces have for years called for citing facts, but government agencies have not been prepared to meet the challenges.
Political scientist styopa safaryan, who was present at the press conference, fully shares Mr Poghosyan’s opinion.
“The government is fine, but we have not received any signals about essential reforms,” Mr Safaryan said.
Speaking of the government’s line, he said:
“It is not now that we have seen growing radical public sentiments and discontent,” Mr Safaryan said.
The four-day hostilities in April and the events in Yerevan this July proved to be domestic and external shocks.
Both the events clearly showed that Armenia’s political system is inadequate for the two great shocks.
“I do not think an efficient government would have allowed the two shocks occur for us to realize our problems,” Mr Safaryan said.
Armenia should not have paid such a high cost for the inadequate government model to be changed.