As the year draws to a close, the members of the Armenian National Assembly and their staff are celebrating with festive bonuses, equivalent to a month’s salary. The decision was taken by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, as an advance gesture for New Year’s and Christmas festivities.

The Head of Public Relations and Communication of the National Assembly, Laura Antonyan, revealed that over half a billion drams, approximately 1.25 million dollars, were allocated for these bonuses. This figure is inclusive of taxes, and marks a significant increase from last year when nearly 300 thousand dollars were designated for similar bonuses for the National Assembly members, staff, and other workers.

While the gesture is sure to be welcomed by the recipients, it may raise questions about the use of public funds, especially given the substantial increase from last year’s allocation. Amidst the festive cheer, it remains to be seen how the public and various stakeholders within the political arena react to this development.

The Armenian National Assembly is the legislative branch of the government of Armenia, consisting of 105 seats. It is responsible for passing laws, ratifying international agreements, and overseeing the work of the government. The Speaker of the National Assembly, currently Alen Simonyan, is the third-highest official in the country.