Saturday, October 8 2016 11:08

ArmInfo. The parliamentary opposition of Armenia does not trust the radical changes promised by new Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan.   

Heritage Party Faction head Zaruhi Postanjyan the 20-day activities  of the new prime minister have demonstrated that all the changes will  be minor changes. "By means of some reshuffle and resignations, as  well as changes in the names of the ministries, Serzh Sargsyan is  trying to retain grip on power," she said, expressing concern that  Surik Khachatryan, who has recently been dismissed as Syunik  Governor, will shortly regain this position for the third time. The  lawmaker added that if Karapetyan wants to change something, he  should put an end to the political monopoly.   

For his part, Head of the Armenian National Congress Faction Levon  Zurabyan thinks that Karapetyan has clearly announced that he will be  very passive. "He has no intention to raise the pension benefits.   Moreover, he does not know how to attract skilful specialists. This  demonstrates that the Government and the Prime Minister have no  specific program or plan of action," he said, adding that the mission  of the new government is to persuade the society to give votes for  the ruling party during the parliamentary elections.     

ARF Dashnaktsutyun Faction Head Armen Rustamyan said that Karapetyan  is going to take decisive steps and that Armenia will shortly  experience radical changes. In the meantime, he noted that the socio-  economic situation in the country is rather hard, so Karapetyan will  have to do serious job. 

Head of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia Faction Vahram  Baghdasaryan thinks that the incumbent government works at a new  pace. He said that abrupt changes may shock the society and may have  negative consequences. So, he thinks, the Prime Minister should apply  the program of two-stage reforms he previously announced. 

To note, the Government held a sitting on October 6 and President  Serzh Sargsyan congratulated the new Cabinet representatives. He said  that the Government should become the locomotive of changes, and  stressed the need for reforms and serious work.