ArmInfo.The fact that the opposition was able to come forward with its objections, and also voted against the government's program, indicates that they were able to act freely in Armenia for the first time. On February 18 at the briefing in the National Assembly of Armenia, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament from the "My Step" faction Lena Nazaryan stated.
She said that the opposition voted "against" not at all because the government's program turned out to be bad, but the fact was that for the first time the opposition had the opportunity to behave like an opposition. "As you saw, no one pressed on them, and the Prime Minister consistently answered all questions and clarified all controversial provisions. As a result, the opposition acted as it deemed necessary, but it's absolutely clear that they voted" against "is a great progress," - the Deputy Speaker said.
Nazaryan also noted that if representatives of the Bright Armenia and Prosperous Armenia factions during the discussion of the action plan want to present their proposals regarding the government program, they can do it. "If representatives of these factions have interesting and constructive proposals, we will certainly include their government program," the MP stressed.
She also noted that during the last meeting of Parliament, criticism of the opposition in relation to the current authorities was insubstantial, weak, and most importantly, unfounded.
In turn, the head of the Bright Armenia faction, Edmon Marukyan, stated that he did not expect that the opposition's speeches could become a subject of mockery, ridicule, complaints, and in some cases even threats. He noted that after the representatives of his party made a speech at the last meeting in the country's parliament, the entire pro-government press, which spread false information, attacked them. "I can't agree with the words of Lena Nazaryan that this is the first time that the opposition criticized the government's program and voted against it. Before that, representatives of the "Yelk", "Heritage", "Armenian National Congress" and other factions criticized such programs. And if, in their opinion, these are achievements, it is a pity, " Marukyan said.
MP from the Prosperous Armenia faction Mikayel Melkumyan also noted that the government's program does not cause much optimism. He noted that he himself was the initiator of changes to this program. "The program may contain good indicators and figures, but there are also certain tools that should be a guarantee for the implementation of the program," Melkumyan concluded.