Protests against electricity price hike continue in central Yerevan for sixth day

Mass protests against the increase in electricity prices continue in the Armenian capital for the sixth day. The protesters promise to give an answer on Sunday to the proposal by the country’s president Serzh Sargsyan on the audit of the Electric Networks of Armenia distribution company. Until its completion, the government is ready to cover the costs connected with the rise in electricity prices.

Sargsyan also did not rule out the possibility of nationalizing this company following this inspection. “Until the audit conclusion the government will take over the whole burden of the increase in electricity prices,” the president told a meeting of the officials in charge of the country’s economic policy on Saturday. On the other hand, Sargsyan demanded that the protesters leave Marshal Baghramayan Avenue, which continues to be blocked for automotive transport. He urged the activists to become the parties to the actual process to develop the measures to tackle the existing problems.

Meanwhile, the protesters in central Yerevan declined the president’s proposal. According to Vaginak Shushanyan, one of the organizers of the No to Robbery public initiative, the authorities didn’t not meet any of the requirements put forward by the protesters. Nevertheless, Shushanyan promised that the participants in the protests would give their answer regarding the president’s statement by Sunday evening and announce their future plans.