(Saturday, July 27)
“Aravot” quotes Galust Sahakian, a deputy chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), as criticizing the Yerevan municipality for rescinding its decision to sharply raise public transport fees in the capital under pressure from civil activists. “We are a quite serious political force and could have explained to people that the city of Yerevan needs [proper] public transport,” he says.
“Hayots Ashkhar” believes that the protests should prompt the authorities to embark on a radical reform of the municipal transport system. “This is probably a more acceptable path than the mayor’s resignation,” writes the paper. It is also encouraged by that fact that the campaign against increased bus fares in Yerevan was not led by any political party, even if many opposition activists were involved in it. This is the reason why the movement has been successful so far, according to “Hayots Ashkhar.”
“Everybody agrees that this small victory was achieved mainly thanks to 20-30-year-olds,” writes “Hraparak.” The paper says many Armenians who for years complained about young people and their values and behavior are now saying that a “wonderful generation is growing up.” “This revolution has also revolutionized the Armenian people’s views about the younger generations,” it says. “It has generated hope and faith in the future of our country and demonstrated that the society is not as passive, tired and apathetic as we thought.”
“What was born in Armenia on July 25 may be called civil society,” writes “Azg.” “All least, this Armenian phenomenon has all the characteristics of a civil society. First of all, it’s not class-based as owners of luxury cars stood by people who can only dream about such cars. Secondly, it is not political … And more importantly, this movement has clear goals and knows well what it wants and from whom.”
(Tigran Avetisian)
“Aravot” quotes Galust Sahakian, a deputy chairman of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), as criticizing the Yerevan municipality for rescinding its decision to sharply raise public transport fees in the capital under pressure from civil activists. “We are a quite serious political force and could have explained to people that the city of Yerevan needs [proper] public transport,” he says.
“Hayots Ashkhar” believes that the protests should prompt the authorities to embark on a radical reform of the municipal transport system. “This is probably a more acceptable path than the mayor’s resignation,” writes the paper. It is also encouraged by that fact that the campaign against increased bus fares in Yerevan was not led by any political party, even if many opposition activists were involved in it. This is the reason why the movement has been successful so far, according to “Hayots Ashkhar.”
“Everybody agrees that this small victory was achieved mainly thanks to 20-30-year-olds,” writes “Hraparak.” The paper says many Armenians who for years complained about young people and their values and behavior are now saying that a “wonderful generation is growing up.” “This revolution has also revolutionized the Armenian people’s views about the younger generations,” it says. “It has generated hope and faith in the future of our country and demonstrated that the society is not as passive, tired and apathetic as we thought.”
“What was born in Armenia on July 25 may be called civil society,” writes “Azg.” “All least, this Armenian phenomenon has all the characteristics of a civil society. First of all, it’s not class-based as owners of luxury cars stood by people who can only dream about such cars. Secondly, it is not political … And more importantly, this movement has clear goals and knows well what it wants and from whom.”
(Tigran Avetisian)