Prime Minister: All those officials who previously allegedly worked  for free are now dollar millionaires

ArmInfo. Armenia's state institutions must be strengthened, just as statehood must be strengthened.  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made this statement  during a government session in parliament on January 21, in response  to a question from Eduard Aghajanyan, MP from the ruling "Civil Contract" faction.

The MP, specifically noting media reports about the alleged theft of  the state budget, funds from which are used to pay salaries and  bonuses for government officials, inquired when the Prime Minister  would "start working for free."

In response, the Prime Minister emphasized that state budget revenues  have increased by 130% compared to 2017. At the same time, government  spending in 2025 was reduced by 4%, resulting in savings of  approximately 6.5 billion drams. It, Pashinyan continued, means that  the government's salary fund has been reduced by 6.5 billion drams.  The Prime Minister believes it is necessary to implement a mechanism  that would allow the government to eliminate inefficient spending.

Additionally, a pilot program-based pay system was introduced, which,  if successful, should become law.  Pashinyan emphasized that the  country's authorities, focusing their efforts on strengthening  statehood, are taking steps to create a system in which officials are  free from any outside influence, including through the implementation  of a zero-corruption policy. In this spirit, the Prime Minister  noted, the issue of attracting qualified personnel to public  administration is being addressed.

Therefore, these officials receive bonuses, which they are required  to use to improve their qualifications through higher education. "All  those officials who worked for "free" are now dollar millionaires; I  don't have that problem," the Armenian leader concluded.