GAGIK TSARUKYAN: WE ARE AGAINST ‘MAIDAN,’ BUT INACTIVITY MUST NOT BE ALTERNATIVE TO ‘MAIDAN’
by Nana Martirosyan
Thursday, October 9, 14:21
Large-scale consolidation of public and political forces that would
lead to a multi-party power enjoying truly people’s mandate could
become a success formula for Armenia, Gagik Tsarukyan, Leader of
Prosperous Armenia Party told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. He said numerous
protests and rallies in Armenia show that the Armenian public can
no longer bear injustice and low living standards. “Simultaneously,
there is tangible political consolidation able to form the right
political agenda,” he said.
Tsarukyan said that yet five-six years ago he warned against wrong
economic policy in the country.
“However, my voice did not reach the addressee then and today we have
what we have. The small and mid- sized business was affected the most.
Several thousands of enterprises were closed. In fact, we witness
poverty growth, slump of foreign investments, and slackening of
economic growth rates,” he said. He said the four parliamentary
opposition parties (Armenian National Congress, Heritage, ARFD,
Prosperous Armenia) drafted a package of 12 proposals to settle a
range of burning issues in the country.
“The authorities had enough time to respond in the right way and start
discussing and implementing those proposals. It was a good opportunity
to launch dialogue with political forces. However, they failed to do
it. What remains for the people is to use their constitutional right
and demand fulfillment of those simple proposals,” the politician said.
He came out against ‘maidans.’ At the same time, Tsarukyan is sure
that inactivity must become an alternative to ‘maidans’ as it is also
disastrous for small countries like Armenia.