Armenia's ruling party urges opposition deputies to return to parliament

Deputies of the Armenian parliament from opposition parties can only be called upon to attend meetings of parliamentary commissions in 2023.

The remarks came from the ruling Civil Contract faction member Gevorg Papoyan at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on financial credit and budgetary issues on January 9, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Armenian media,

“I think their performances are worth nothing if they don’t do real work, which, by the way, they are paid for,” Papoyan said.

He said the current authorities themselves initiated parliamentary reports on the expenditure of budgetary funds - not only at the level of the Ministry of Finance but also at the level of the expert bureau of the parliament. The Bureau submits reports not only of a general nature but also on specific programs. But nevertheless, Papoyan added, only deputies from the government come to these discussions: the opposition does not use the mechanisms of control that it has.

“Let them come, ask sharp questions, draw public attention to how budgetary funds are spent in our country,” Papoyan said.

It is noted that on January 20, the commissions on financial-credit issues and health care will hold a joint meeting of the Armenian Parliament, where they will consider the report of the Audit Chamber under the Parliament on expenditures on outpatient care.