During discussions on the report about the government plan in parliament, Prosperous Armenia deputy Iveta Tonoyan asked Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan about how it’s obvious that the program has a thesis of making Armenian citizens happier. She said, “There are three points for having happy citizens, according to which we will have dignified citizens. Particularly, the gates to the National Assembly and Presidential Residence have opened, government sessions are open, and there are no political prisoners. Is this truly enough for us to have happy and dignified citizens?” She also asked what priorities the government has in order to have happy citizens.
Pashinyan answered that when the revolution took place in Armenia, citizens were dancing in the streets. They were offering food to one another and having barbecues. “Why were they doing that? In order to express their happiness. Did anyone give them a car, apartment, or television? No, of course not. They were happy because they understood that they hold the highest power in their country, and they have the opportunity to create their government. That is the cornerstone to happiness.” The Prime Minister said that Armenia rose 13 spots on the list of the happiest countries in the world in 2018.
According to Pashinyan, the fact that the gates to the Presidential Residence have opened is a sign of the citizens’ victory, and when a person feels victorious, they are also happy.
Pashinyan said that after winning in the political spector, people now want to win in the economic sector. The Prime Minister said that he cannot imagine someone who would be happy without work. Happiness is our formula for freedom, educational opportunities, health, and security.
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Hripsime Jebejyan
