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Global Insight
May 27, 2011
Armenian Parliament Blocks No-Confidence Motion
BYLINE: Lilit Gevorgyan
Members of the Armenian parliament, the National Assembly, voted on 25
May against the no-confidence motion by the opposition Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (HYD). The opposition parliamentary bloc had
asked President Serzh Sargsyan to express a vote of no-confidence in
the government of Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian. HYD argued that
since its formation in 2008, the government has failed to deliver on
social and economic policies and has been ineffective in dealing with
the economic crisis. Armenia's finance minister Vache Gabrielyan has
argued in defence of the government's policies. He was cited by
Armenian Arka news agency as saying that the government had to revise
its economic policies following the global economic recession, a
difficult process given that the country was experiencing double-digit
growth and low inflation rate. The minister also endorsed the current
economic development plan, adding that Armenia has managed to overcome
the economic crisis although some of its effects may linger.
Significance:Given that the Armenian National Assembly is safely under
the control of pro-government parties, HYD's motion of no-confidence
was unrealistic. It is rather a symbol aimed at the electorate,
disenchanted with the continuing hardships. The move comes as other
opposition forces united under the Armenian National Congress (HAK)
have decided to stage regular anti-government protests to force
Sargsyan to hold new parliamentary and presidential elections.
However, the chances of early elections remain slim given that the
opposition parties are disunited. Notably HYD refused to join HAK, led
by former president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who during his term fell out
with the HYD accusing it of plotting a coup. HYD's criticism of the
current government may find a sympathetic ear among many Armenians who
are battling with high living costs, unemployment and poor business
environment. While the government is right to claim credit for the
economic recovery, it still remains fragile. The technocrat PM does
not have the political influence to impose reforms that can take out
the economy from the control of a handful of oligarchs. The tax burden
remains high for small and medium-sized businesses, which has induced
many to move their business to neighbouring Georgia with its more
attractive business environment. On the other hand, the president
remains reluctant to undertake any meaningful reforms, partially
because Sarkisian and his team are yet to be seriously challenged by a
united opposition front.
From: A. Papazian
May 27, 2011
Armenian Parliament Blocks No-Confidence Motion
BYLINE: Lilit Gevorgyan
Members of the Armenian parliament, the National Assembly, voted on 25
May against the no-confidence motion by the opposition Armenian
Revolutionary Federation (HYD). The opposition parliamentary bloc had
asked President Serzh Sargsyan to express a vote of no-confidence in
the government of Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian. HYD argued that
since its formation in 2008, the government has failed to deliver on
social and economic policies and has been ineffective in dealing with
the economic crisis. Armenia's finance minister Vache Gabrielyan has
argued in defence of the government's policies. He was cited by
Armenian Arka news agency as saying that the government had to revise
its economic policies following the global economic recession, a
difficult process given that the country was experiencing double-digit
growth and low inflation rate. The minister also endorsed the current
economic development plan, adding that Armenia has managed to overcome
the economic crisis although some of its effects may linger.
Significance:Given that the Armenian National Assembly is safely under
the control of pro-government parties, HYD's motion of no-confidence
was unrealistic. It is rather a symbol aimed at the electorate,
disenchanted with the continuing hardships. The move comes as other
opposition forces united under the Armenian National Congress (HAK)
have decided to stage regular anti-government protests to force
Sargsyan to hold new parliamentary and presidential elections.
However, the chances of early elections remain slim given that the
opposition parties are disunited. Notably HYD refused to join HAK, led
by former president Levon Ter-Petrossian, who during his term fell out
with the HYD accusing it of plotting a coup. HYD's criticism of the
current government may find a sympathetic ear among many Armenians who
are battling with high living costs, unemployment and poor business
environment. While the government is right to claim credit for the
economic recovery, it still remains fragile. The technocrat PM does
not have the political influence to impose reforms that can take out
the economy from the control of a handful of oligarchs. The tax burden
remains high for small and medium-sized businesses, which has induced
many to move their business to neighbouring Georgia with its more
attractive business environment. On the other hand, the president
remains reluctant to undertake any meaningful reforms, partially
because Sarkisian and his team are yet to be seriously challenged by a
united opposition front.
From: A. Papazian