Protest Against Increased Tax Rates at Government Building

"I was not allowed to bring a tablecloth; they told me I could only bring one that has been used. What is the point of allowing me to bring 23 kilograms if I can only bring someone else's worn item?" This was stated to NEWS.am by a vendor from the Gnuni market during a protest held in front of the government building today, January 23.

Protesters are rallying against the increase of the turnover tax rate from 5% to 10%, which took effect on January 1.

"They are enacting laws that make it impossible to live here; you can't even bring a gift for your relative. They claim these are European prices, but do you keep a pension like in Europe? I would gladly pay 20% if all medicines for our pensioners were free and treatment became free as well. We are being treated solely as a source of fines, as they say: we have to pay while they sleep comfortably at home, and we freeze outside without anyone approaching us," said a female participant of the protest.

In response to a reminder that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had said that the government's door is the citizens' door, and they can open it as they please, the woman remarked, "Do you want me to approach? You will see how they will beat me back with truncheons and send me away."

For more details, watch the coverage.