COALITION ABOUT RIOT
Arman Galoyan

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12:36:10 – 26/02/2010

It is evident that the upcoming gas price increase will bring about
the increase of prices of many other goods and services. Moreover, in
the current social conditions, these increases will be felt even more.

Hence, it is not ruled out that we will witness serious social riots.

We tried to get comments from the parliamentarians of the ruling
coalition.

Vardan Bostanjyan, BHK members, economist, deputy head of the NA
commission on economic issues

I do not think this increase will be so much to give way to social
worries. I understand that people with little profit, nevertheless,
will have difficulties. In any case, if the increase is determined by
the preservation and use of that system, I think the price increase
by the Public Services Regulatory Commission will not be so high to
cause social riots. Even small increase, for a country like Armenia,
brings about dissatisfaction. But the whole question is whether it
can turn into a social strike. I want to be sure that our government
will work not to let it happen.

Karen Jshmarityan, Republican member, former minister of commerce
and industry

I do not think the gas price increase will bring about social riots. I
think the government will be able to take up measures for the situation
not to arrive to that point. In general, the gas price increase is not
that much. The gas price increase will cause enhancement of prices of
other goods but the government will do steps to soften the situation.

Rafik Grigoryan, RP member

The Public Services Regulatory Commission has not yet discussed this
issue. The prime minister stated in the NA that Serge Sargsyan gave an
instruction to compensate to socially needy people. I cannot predict
so I do not know whether there will be social riots or not.

Sukias Avetisyan, RP parliamentarian, deputy head of the commission
on social issues

In general such increases always cause some social tension. The most
important issue is how much the gas price will increase and what the
government will do for it. Because of gas price increase many goods
will increase in price too. Perhaps there would be a social riot if
the price was enhanced too much, but if the government helps people
especially the socially needy sphere, people will accept this fact.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress