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National Assembly of Armenia has adopted the Draft Tax Code of the Republic of Armenia in the third reading, with 78 voted in favor and 19 against. The legislation was initiated by the government. MP from the ruling Republican Party informed that some the Code provisions, specifically the excise tax will be levied from the next years, others will take into effect from the year 2018, while the tax on agriculture is envisaged to levy by the year 2025.

Several opposition MPs slammed the legislation. Parliamentarian Edmon Marukyan stated that 90 percent of the proposals he made to the draft was ignored.

“I see this draft Code as a threat to Armenia’s economy,” Marukyan said, adding the new legislation will not address the state debt obligations that may come into question in one and a half year.

Another parliamentarian, Hrant Bagratyan stressed that the Code does not correspond to the requirements of Armenia’s development. Bagratyan has consistently advocated for taxing the Apostolic Church, suggesting the new legislation is against the Article 17 of the state Constitution.

“Our Constitution ensures freedom of activities for all religious organization. We have many Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant Armenians, while according to this Code only the Apostolic Church is free from property tax. This is blatant violation of the Constitution,” Bagratyan stated.