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FROM DEMONSTRATION TO REBELLION - OPINIONS ON PENSION REFORM PROTEST
12:50 ~U 17.01.14
The upcoming public protest against the compulsory pension funds is
believed to be either a good start of a social rebellion or at least
a big challenge to the ruling authorities.
The political engineer Karen Kocharyan says the effectiveness of
the event greatly depends on the number of people who will join it,
while Vardan Hakobyan, a conductor affiliated with the Pre-Parliament
group, does not rule out the possibility of a rebellion. The political
analyst Hmayak Hovhannisyan says he considers the plan "a serious
challenge to the authorities".
Speaking to Tert.am, Kocharyan said he doesn't think the nature of a
rebellion has to do with its effectiveness. "It doesn't matter whether
it is a social, political or civil rebellion. Its effectiveness
depends on the number of those gathered in the square," he said,
adding that it is very important for more genuinely interested in
the campaign to be in the square (instead of those taking a bribe to
attend a public event).
The expert said he isn't sure yet whether the non-coalition
parliamentary factions (the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaksutyun) who proposed the idea of the protest will
be really consolidated.
The non-ruling forces and the civic group "I am Against" are rallying
in Yerevan's Liberty Square on Saturday to protest against the
controversial reforms which make 5% salary deductions for pension
funds compulsory for all Armenian citizens born after 1974. The
reforms went into effect on January 1.
The Pre-Parliament activist said their group is also joining the rally
which he expects to see a consolidated campaign among the organizers.
"I wouldn't rule out a social rebellion, but I don't think a social
rebellion is the right solution. I don't think it will help our
country out without any shocks. Perhaps a few people will be punished
or sacked from office as a result, but I don't expect it either. As our
authorities have proven, they are not ready for any mutual concession,"
Hakobyan said.
The activist added that the civilian rebellion may to turn into a
political campaign in case of a consolidation offering a serious plan
of actions.
"I think we will achieve a result in a campaign that will see everybody
arrive at the conclusion that the problem is systemic. Once everybody
reaches that conclusion, we will really have serious results."
Hakobyan said he regrets that the parliamentary forces seek a solution
within the system (in the parliament and courts) which he considered
fledged.
"I am arriving at the conclusion that by remaining within the system,
they are feeding it, contributing to the ratification of all those
anti-constitutional and anti-human laws. They have to assist in the
movement in a global sense. But if they remain players in these games,
these processes will continue," he added.
Commenting on his expectations, Hmayak Hovhannisyan said he finds
a social protest very likely in the light of the increasing natural
gas prices and inflation rate.
"The social background is very ponderous in such circumstances, with
the discontent being very big. And the [proposal of the] parliament's
non-ruling forces adds to all this. This is a serious challenge to
the authorities, so if those forces take necessary steps, trying
to make a maximum use of the existing potentials, that will pose a
bigger threat to the authorities," he explained.
The expert said at the end that he is doubtful if the four
parliamentary forces will choose that option or restrict themselves
to what he called a single demonstrative protest.
Armenian News - Tert.am
12:50 ~U 17.01.14
The upcoming public protest against the compulsory pension funds is
believed to be either a good start of a social rebellion or at least
a big challenge to the ruling authorities.
The political engineer Karen Kocharyan says the effectiveness of
the event greatly depends on the number of people who will join it,
while Vardan Hakobyan, a conductor affiliated with the Pre-Parliament
group, does not rule out the possibility of a rebellion. The political
analyst Hmayak Hovhannisyan says he considers the plan "a serious
challenge to the authorities".
Speaking to Tert.am, Kocharyan said he doesn't think the nature of a
rebellion has to do with its effectiveness. "It doesn't matter whether
it is a social, political or civil rebellion. Its effectiveness
depends on the number of those gathered in the square," he said,
adding that it is very important for more genuinely interested in
the campaign to be in the square (instead of those taking a bribe to
attend a public event).
The expert said he isn't sure yet whether the non-coalition
parliamentary factions (the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaksutyun) who proposed the idea of the protest will
be really consolidated.
The non-ruling forces and the civic group "I am Against" are rallying
in Yerevan's Liberty Square on Saturday to protest against the
controversial reforms which make 5% salary deductions for pension
funds compulsory for all Armenian citizens born after 1974. The
reforms went into effect on January 1.
The Pre-Parliament activist said their group is also joining the rally
which he expects to see a consolidated campaign among the organizers.
"I wouldn't rule out a social rebellion, but I don't think a social
rebellion is the right solution. I don't think it will help our
country out without any shocks. Perhaps a few people will be punished
or sacked from office as a result, but I don't expect it either. As our
authorities have proven, they are not ready for any mutual concession,"
Hakobyan said.
The activist added that the civilian rebellion may to turn into a
political campaign in case of a consolidation offering a serious plan
of actions.
"I think we will achieve a result in a campaign that will see everybody
arrive at the conclusion that the problem is systemic. Once everybody
reaches that conclusion, we will really have serious results."
Hakobyan said he regrets that the parliamentary forces seek a solution
within the system (in the parliament and courts) which he considered
fledged.
"I am arriving at the conclusion that by remaining within the system,
they are feeding it, contributing to the ratification of all those
anti-constitutional and anti-human laws. They have to assist in the
movement in a global sense. But if they remain players in these games,
these processes will continue," he added.
Commenting on his expectations, Hmayak Hovhannisyan said he finds
a social protest very likely in the light of the increasing natural
gas prices and inflation rate.
"The social background is very ponderous in such circumstances, with
the discontent being very big. And the [proposal of the] parliament's
non-ruling forces adds to all this. This is a serious challenge to
the authorities, so if those forces take necessary steps, trying
to make a maximum use of the existing potentials, that will pose a
bigger threat to the authorities," he explained.
The expert said at the end that he is doubtful if the four
parliamentary forces will choose that option or restrict themselves
to what he called a single demonstrative protest.
Armenian News - Tert.am