Former National Assembly deputy Garnik Danielyan wrote: "From January 1, 2027, the salaries of government officials will increase again. The salaries of the RA president, prime minister, ministers, deputies, prosecutors and governors will increase. The salaries of community leaders will be doubled and even tripled."
And this is when, according to the official data of 2024, the poverty level in Armenia is 21.7 percent, when every fourth child is considered poor, when thousands of families continue to live in difficult social conditions, and people face the problem of meeting basic needs. Moreover, in the 21st century, cases of starvation are recorded in Armenia. In the 2021 pre-election program, you promised to reduce the poverty level by half by 2026. Poverty did not decrease by half. but instead you began to live more prosperously.
You don't buy a vacuum cleaner and a TV on credit anymore, but you increase your property. Of course, no one is against government officials receiving high salaries. But in the case of such a poverty index, shouldn't we first think about solving social problems, creating new jobs and providing people with the necessary conditions for a decent life? And this is the case when Armenia's public debt already exceeds 14 billion dollars.
For thousands of Artsakh citizens, the issues of residence, housing, and work remain a major problem. Hundreds of people still live in caravans, many compatriots borrow food from shops. It is clear that this decision is based on a political calculation to keep the state system loyal. Citizens are often disappointed and leave the country not only because of economic difficulties, but also because of the feeling of injustice. Such decisions will further deepen the feeling of social injustice."
