Epress.am News from Armenia
People’s Party leader Tigran Karapetyan has decided to hold an outdoor national conference whereby participants will approve an ultimatum that will then be sent to RA President Serzh Sargsyan. Karapetyan informed journalists in Yerevan today of this decision, noting that the “ultimatum” will include demands by Karapetyan’s supporters that require immediate action. For instance, one of the demands is cooperation with the people. If the demands are not met, the party leader threatened “to announce the demand of early elections” on Feb. 28.
Repeating what he said at his Jan. 31 press conference, Tigran Karapetyan once again stressed the difference between his political party and the opposition bloc the Armenian National Congress, saying his party is demanding parliamentary elections first, then presidential elections.
“For example, the mortgage issue takes a place in our demand: there is the law, but it doesn’t work, why are they asking for a [monthly] salary of 350,000 drams from youth [prior to granting a mortgage]? Why not, [also in our demands] will be street trade, the banking system, which keeps the entire population hostage, and there are such points [in their demands]. There are 18, three more points will be added,” he said, not specifying the contents of the specific points raised in their demands.
Karapetyan noted that Yerevan street traders have “collectively” appealed to them and they will be given a voice in the coming rally.
Asked by Epress.am as to how the party leader and his team envisions the solutions to the demands they have presented; for example, such as the plan to implement reforms in Armenia’s banking system, Karapetyan said:
“We consider this banking system to be robbery, and, let’s say, they receive funds from the World Bank or from Russia with a one percent interest rate or without interest. For example, they received 500 million from Russia in the first two years without interest, then one percent [interest rate], then, like that, it’s immoral, when they receive it with one percent and give it to the people at 30 [percent interest rate]. Our program is just that, you’re receiving it free, give it free, so we can work justly.”
Asked by Epress.am whether there are respective experts to develop such demands among his team, Karapetyan said not only experts, but also 3,500 officials.
“Our army of officials is so great, if you need it in writing, get in touch with us, we will give it to you [i.e. the list of officials who are members of his team],” said Karapetyan.