Edmon Marukyan Leaves the Session Hall

During the discussion of the draft amendments to the state budget, LHK faction leader Edmon Marukyan asked Minister of Finance Atom Janjughazyan: "What percentage of GDP is the government prepared to make as non-repayable expenditure to improve the socio-economic situation of the people and business entities in certain respects?"

The minister responded, "That percentage depends on our capabilities. It is not about setting a percentage and approaching it; rather, we should evaluate what we need, what measures we need to take to solve those needs, and implement accordingly." He also declared that there is no hidden money.

Marukyan insisted that the established criteria resemble searching for a needle in a haystack, making it difficult to find. "Consequently, hundreds of needy families are excluded from the government’s 14 programs," he announced.

The LHK leader expressed the opinion that the current draft of the budget amendments attempts to deprive the parliament of its right to express an opinion, as the government will not be appealing to the National Assembly in the near future. After these remarks, Marukyan left the session hall.