Protests against an electricity price rise appear to have lost momentum: The government’s suspension of the price rise for “re-examination” as well as differences in opinion and indecision among protestors have played their part.
Although the protests continued for 10 days following the shake caused by the electricity price rise, the absence of leaders that could expand and voice demands in a clearer manner, and the indecision and reservations has meant that the protests have lost their early intensity. The movement received the first blow when the “Voch Talanin” group abandoned Baghramyan Avenue and withdrew to Liberty Square. Although “Voch Talanin” has rejoined the other protestors since, the crowds have dwindled, and the initial passion is missing. Although no one openly admits it, everyone we spoke to is aware that the movement is slowly fading out.
The last few days
On June 27, when the protest completed its first week, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made a statement declaring that the price rise would be met from the State budget. Sargsyan added that the rise was necessary, but that the Inter-RAO Company that controls the Electric Networks of Armenia would undergo an obligatory financial audit.
Responding to this statement, the leaders of “Voch Talanin” announced that they would withdraw from Baghramyan Avenue and continue their protest at Liberty Square. However, other protestors declared that they were not convinced by Sargsyan’s statement, and announced they were staying put. This was the first instance when cracks appeared between protestors, and the small group that withdrew to Liberty Square was accused of being Sargsyan supporters.
On June 29, although numbers dwindled, protests continued on Baghramyan Avenue. Parallel to protests on Baghramyan Avenue, around 50 “Voch Talanin” members continued their sit-in at Liberty Square. Towards the end of the action, their leaders announced that they would return to Baghramyan Avenue.
On June 29, although numbers dwindled, protests continued on Baghramyan Avenue. Parallel to protests on Baghramyan Avenue, around 50 “Voch Talanin” members continued their sit-in at Liberty Square. Towards the end of the action, their leaders announced that they would return to Baghramyan Avenue.
Belated return of Voch Talanin to Baghramyan
Artur Chibukchyan, a “Voch Talanin” representative, said, “We have decided, as a group, to be with the people. We haven’t been satisfied by Sargsyan’s statement either, we will continue both our legal struggle, and our struggle on the streets.”
Sofia Hovsepyan, another member of the group, said, “The Baghramyan protest has become shallow, we have to continue our defence on other platforms as well,” while Artur Kocharyan commented that the protests would grow much larger if the proposed audit turned out to be a smokescreen and delaying tactic.
Baghramyan protestors have announced that they will hold daily public forums at 8:30 pm, and decide on their road map by the outcome of the public debate. No concrete decision has emerged from the last two nights’ forums.
Head of the Gyumri Journalists’ Club Asbarez, Levon Barseghyan, who believes the protest must continue until demands are met, said, “Some uncertainty is only natural during such protests. People are now focusing on coordination. The movement emerged as a people’s movement, so we now have to form a group that can make decisions, and this group must lead”.
Other than those who support the Baghramyan resistance, a considerable proportion of the population believes the government has received the message, and that the right action now is to wait. The belief that the Baghramyan protestors have other aims is rife among this group.
Renowned actress Arsinée Khanjian joins Baghramyan protest
Actress Arsinée Khanjian joined the protest at Baghramyan Avenue, and voiced her support for the movement. Khanjian made a point of underlining the fact that the Yerevan protest bore no resemblance to the events in the Ukraine: “This is no Maidan; the people here are united in resistance not for others, but for themselves. The government should listen.”
‘A leaderless movement cannot transform itself’
Journalist Lusine Hovhannisyan, who played an important role in the student protests during the 1988 Karabagh War says that today’s youth is different, but that she has been alarmed by the aggressive attacks of the police: “Young people have filled the streets, they are courageous and irrational. Those are the most significant traits of being young, after all. They are well educated; they have a very healthy interaction with the world. We are proud of them. We were more emotional and romantic; we had dreams. They are more realistic; they are not the children of a closed society, they know about everything. Elections are rigged, the legal system is not functioning properly, they are all aware of this; and the issue is no longer a price rise of 7 drams, we have to admit that. Dissatisfaction exists across all sections of society in Armenia; but they do not know what to do about it, they have no leaders, they do not have a plan. I do not think this movement will change or transform; the demand from young people is there, but there is no leader…”
Will the National Security Fund meet the rise cost?
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan has announced that the source to meet the cost of the price rise will be announced in the next few days. Sargsyan had previously said that the National Security Fund would meet the cost.
