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SARGSYAN RULES OUT MAJOR PERSONNEL CHANGES, EXPECTS GOVERNMENT TO MEET TARGETS FOR 2013
POLITICS | 19.03.13 | 15:48
Photo: www.gov.am
By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The government to be formed after April 9 is unlikely to
differ drastically from what it is now, incumbent president and
president-elect Serzh Sargsyan hinted during a meeting with journalists
late on Monday.
Speaking about possible changes in the executive, Sargsyan, the
certified winner of last month's disputed presidential election,
said that while there will be no major changes in the composition
of the government to be formed after his inauguration next month,
"no one will be secure [in their posts]."
In a wide-range interview the president dismissed opinions that the
government has been a stagnant institution during his time in office,
saying that as many as 20 changes have taken place in the 18-member
Cabinet in the past five years.
Some of the changes were conditioned by the departure of allies of
Sargsyan's Republican Party of Armenia from the ruling coalition.
The outgoing government and its future successor have been tasked with
ensuring an annual economic growth of 7 percent and increasing salaries
at a rate outpacing inflation. The president said the government will
not be changed if it is able to maintain the rate of economic growth
and ensure a relevant growth of salaries.
In recent years, the government of Armenia and particularly its leader,
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan (no relation to the president), have
been criticized by opponents for mishandling the economy and failing
to provide social improvements, as well as for their ineffective
struggle against corruption.
At the same time, before and during the election campaign President
Sargsyan has been promising drastic reforms, including a clampdown
on corruption, tackling social and economic problems, etc.
Meanwhie, many remain skeptical about the ability of the current
government to live up to expectations and carry out drastic reforms
without personnel changes. Opponents mainly cite the executive's
track record in the past five years as the main source of mistrust.
The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), which has consistently criticized
the Sargsyan government over its socio-economic policies since leaving
the ruling coalition last May, does not expect the new Cabinet to
prove effective in realizing large-scale reforms and providing real
improvements in the lives of ordinary people.
"This government will not be able to carry out substantial reforms
for the people to feel the positive impact," PAP spokesman Tigran
Urikhanyan told ArmeniaNow.
"Meanwhile, it is quite an opportune moment for a change, the country
will gain a lot if changes are made in the composition of the current
government and especially if its head is changed," he added.
Earlier, some media speculated about the possibility of former Yerevan
mayor Karen Karapetyan being appointed as new prime minister. There
has been no official confirmation that such a possibility is being
considered.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
POLITICS | 19.03.13 | 15:48
Photo: www.gov.am
By GOHAR ABRAHAMYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
The government to be formed after April 9 is unlikely to
differ drastically from what it is now, incumbent president and
president-elect Serzh Sargsyan hinted during a meeting with journalists
late on Monday.
Speaking about possible changes in the executive, Sargsyan, the
certified winner of last month's disputed presidential election,
said that while there will be no major changes in the composition
of the government to be formed after his inauguration next month,
"no one will be secure [in their posts]."
In a wide-range interview the president dismissed opinions that the
government has been a stagnant institution during his time in office,
saying that as many as 20 changes have taken place in the 18-member
Cabinet in the past five years.
Some of the changes were conditioned by the departure of allies of
Sargsyan's Republican Party of Armenia from the ruling coalition.
The outgoing government and its future successor have been tasked with
ensuring an annual economic growth of 7 percent and increasing salaries
at a rate outpacing inflation. The president said the government will
not be changed if it is able to maintain the rate of economic growth
and ensure a relevant growth of salaries.
In recent years, the government of Armenia and particularly its leader,
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan (no relation to the president), have
been criticized by opponents for mishandling the economy and failing
to provide social improvements, as well as for their ineffective
struggle against corruption.
At the same time, before and during the election campaign President
Sargsyan has been promising drastic reforms, including a clampdown
on corruption, tackling social and economic problems, etc.
Meanwhie, many remain skeptical about the ability of the current
government to live up to expectations and carry out drastic reforms
without personnel changes. Opponents mainly cite the executive's
track record in the past five years as the main source of mistrust.
The Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), which has consistently criticized
the Sargsyan government over its socio-economic policies since leaving
the ruling coalition last May, does not expect the new Cabinet to
prove effective in realizing large-scale reforms and providing real
improvements in the lives of ordinary people.
"This government will not be able to carry out substantial reforms
for the people to feel the positive impact," PAP spokesman Tigran
Urikhanyan told ArmeniaNow.
"Meanwhile, it is quite an opportune moment for a change, the country
will gain a lot if changes are made in the composition of the current
government and especially if its head is changed," he added.
Earlier, some media speculated about the possibility of former Yerevan
mayor Karen Karapetyan being appointed as new prime minister. There
has been no official confirmation that such a possibility is being
considered.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress