There are obviously omissions, mistakes, and unestablished elements in the government’s plan. But the overall ideology, which was presented to the National Assembly by the Prime Minister, is correct, in my opinion. Economic development needs to be based off of the economic and, I believe, civil behavior of us citizens.
In this case, yes, even a retired woman needs to demand a receipt when she shops, and everyone needs to pay taxes, including lawyers and singers (it’s another question entirely as to how that needs to be organized). Separate companies should not have customs and tax privileges, and no matter how nicely the people formulate their arguments, the streets of Yerevan need to be free of bazaars.
Of course, such drastic steps will not herald applause from everyone. There will be people who are disappointed, and even some emotional responses. “What should we do? Should we leave the country? Should we go to Turkey and get into prostitution? Should we demand political asylum in Azerbaijan?” This heartbreaking rhetoric was respected by some sites and internet users before the revolution, as well as, of course, by the populist opposition: “You can see what they’re doing to these poor people.” Let it be in the past. Now is the time to create dry, implacable, and blind rules, which will be accepted by all and which will be strictly upheld by everyone.
We also have to be honest and confess that, for example, the people who organize protests for merchants are the owners of the markets. They simply do not want to pay taxes and they send their workers and people who depend on them to the “frontlines.” Therefore, I have doubts about people’s complaints regarding this incident.
Over the past two decades, the authorities frequently took steps backwards regarding correct decisions it made. It had no other choice; having a low level of legitimacy and having connections to the oligarchy (including importers and owners of markets) did not leave any other option. Now, these influences are not in place, so all sectors need to be quickly regulated. Otherwise, I worry that the influences of the past will make a return.
Aram Abrahamyan
