Prosperous Armenia party leader and business magnate Gagik Tsarukyan has called for a shift toward elected regional governance, arguing that governors should be chosen by the public rather than appointed.

Speaking at a campaign event in Noyemberyan, Tavush, ahead of the upcoming June 7 parliamentary elections, Tsarukyan also emphasized the need to restore Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture.

“The governor should be elected. The people should see that this person is an organizer, is concerned, understands things, and is someone who [goes the extra mile],” Tsarukyan said.

Speaking about the restoration of the Ministry of Agriculture, he said the move would ensure that farmers have a place to turn to for solving their problems, and that the ministry would also plan in advance and provide appropriate support within the framework of seasonal work.

Tsarukyan is Prosperous Armenia’s candidate for prime minister in the parliamentary elections.

The current Ministry of Economy of Armenia also carries out the functions of the former Ministry of Agriculture following their merger in 2019.