2013 is coming to an end and there are not so many moments of excitement that can be recalled.
In the beginning of the year we had presidential elections, which came to prove the bankruptcy of elections. Same situation all over again: rigged elections, drawn numbers, reproduction of authorities. Post-election gaps had a short effect of excitement, as the de facto winner, even though did not win his votes of 1.5 million citizens, but became one of the most favourite oppositional leaders for the authorities.
Then in came growth of gas and electricity prices, failed prise growth of transportation, which is one of the brightest pages of this year’s history. Taron Margaryan’s reproduction, it was an event which failed to become prominent. It brought new constructions, and, naturally, new protests. Parallel to this, predictions concerning ‘hot’ autumn started, which, by the way, was not so hot.
Indeed, the most important events of 2013 took place during the second half of the year. With sole decision of Serzh Sargsyan, Armenia took a step toward Customs Union, towards rebirth of Soviet-era traditions, continuously surrendering country’s sovereignty.
With a light hand of our authorities, Armenia became a governorate; 4-grade officials of Russia began comparing Armenia with Kaliningrad. It really is an insulting comparison, stating that Armenia is no longer for-post for the “big brother”, but just a region. Putin’s official visit did not compensate the insult. The visit lasted 8 hours, which started in Gyumri, by visiting Russian military base and it took place on the very day Armenian first republic lost its independence.
Despite protests of non-governing bodies and public resistance, the state budget of 2014 was accepted, which will be filled by funded pension system, which made taxpayers’ job even harder.
GOAM was not even able to draw the needed 7% growth. Instead, the lie of financial minister was discovered; gas prise had grown 2 years ago. As a result, another particle of Armenia was surrendered to Russia, this time it was the 20% share of “ArmRusgasard” and Hrazdan’s hydroelectric station.
Law enforcement system did not become law enforcement at all. Political prisoner Tigran Arakelyan has been released, but time showed that our authorities are not able to refuse using police methods as political violations and feels discomfort when there are no political prisoners in the country. The result was arrest of Shant Harutyunyan and his allies. It was interestingly odd that the opposition remained neutral in this issue. An addition to this, police actions during protests become more and more limitless, as they detain dozens of citizens. The authorities did not refuse creating court cases and today we witness Argishti Kiviryan’s and Vardan Petrosyan’s case. They both are victims of made up cases.
This is pretty much it! There is one positive side in this: authorities prove every time that the time of their leave is approaching.
And it is the primary thing we’ll be expecting to see next year!
