Time to throw down challenge to oligarchs - Richard Giragosian
I am not sure that Armenia could be ruled by parliament because our current parliament is not effective, Richard Giragosian, director of the Yerevan-based Regional Studies Center (RSC), told reporters in Yerevan.
Armenia is not ready to shift to parliamentary system of government, he noted. First of all, we should prevent oligarchs from entering parliament and form such a political system that will be independent of individuals, according to the expert.
Currently, our primary task is to determine the country’s future, its development vision, RSC director said.
“Armenia needs to have a strategic vision, and economic problems play a key role here. Economy is the guarantee of national strength,” said Giragosian.
According to him, oligarchs hinder economic development of the country. They increase their influence also through parliament and get free of taxes.
“It’s time to throw down a challenge to oligarchs because the situation we have today is not constructive. Oligarchs pose danger for Armenia. They keep the markets closed, do not pay taxes and even show force,” Giragosian noted.