Armenia threatened by nationwide strike

Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

MPs from the opposition parties of Heritage, Dashnaktsutyun, the Armenian National Congress, and Prosperous Armenia made a decision on tabling a motion of no confidence in the government. When it will happen, the opposition doesn’t say. According to certain mass media, a draft on a motion of no confidence will be presented at the parliamentary session on February 24th. Even though pro-government media spread information about disputes inside the opposition, for example, that each fraction has its own draft, obviously if the decision is made, the opposition activists will agree on a common strategy.

The protest movement in Armenia, which was caused by unpopular policy of the authorities in the social sphere, is growing, and turning into a real ground for possible political changes in the country. The movement began to transform from a union of several civil initiatives into a wide-scale undertaking in which staffs of enterprises are being involved – the chemical plant of Nairit, the Armenian NPP, Yerevan Metro.

The extension of the protest movement was triggered by the scandalous law on the Defined Contribution Pension System. The step by the authorities was a reason for forming common agenda and consolidation of the society. Today staffs of enterprises and departments which previously acted separately are united around a demand to cancel the Defined Contribution Pension System. Employees of Nairit have many times protested near the governmental and presidential residences, demanding to pay salary debts. The staff of the NPP demanded to raise salaries. Dentists protested against tax growing, and so on. At the moment a situation occurred when indignation of citizens can turn into a one big wave.

One of the brightest moments of extension of the movement against the Defined Contribution Pension System was a protest by artists of the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, which led to cancelation of Anush performance on February 10th. Artists participated in protest movements, showing their active civil position, but in general the cultural sphere was always passive, regarding events in the country. From this point of view, behavior of opera and ballet artists can be considered an index of the level of indignation in the society.

Observers don’t exclude that the developments may be an indication of serious processes in the country, for example, a nationwide strike, civil disobedience, or political changes.