Armenian parliament passes 2014 draft state budget

A vote on the draft law on the state budget of the Republic of Armenia for 2014 was held in the National Assembly of Armenia today. The draft was adopted with 70 votes in favor, 40 against, and one abstention. The special session of the Armenian parliament has finished.

Prior to the vote, independent deputy Edmon Marutian said he would vote for the draft since the government accepted three important proposals, while the others are under discussion.

Deputy of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction Nikol Pashinian said for his part that following the final speech of Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, he decided to remain true to his earlier decision.

“Mr. Sargsyan very quietly presented statistics that bears evidence of an extremely difficult social situation in Armenia, but he didn’t utter even a word that there is such a situation because the government has failed to fulfill the numerous obligations it assumed previously,” the deputy noted.

‘I would like to remind you about President Serzh Sargsyan’s words that a government unable to ensure a 7% growth should resign. The government forecast a 5.8% growth in this draft budget,” N. Pashinian said, noting that he will vote against the 2014 draft state budget submitted by the government.