Babken Tunyan, chairman of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs of the RA NA, MP of the “My Step” faction, made a Facebook post in which he referred to the option of a referendum proposed to resolve the Amulsar issue.
For the last 6 months, being one of the decision-makers myself, as a deputy of the National Assembly and the chairman of the standing committee on economic issues, I have already felt the full weight of that responsibility from the inside.
Be it cement tax, tax code or another matter… When you understand that changing one letter or one number in the law affects the standard of living of hundreds of thousands of people. And in addition to that, when you don’t have any personal interests, but you know that in any case there will be disgruntled parties, speculations and you will be accused of sins that you didn’t even think about.
There were days when I did not sleep at night, analyzing whether I was doing the right thing or not. And thank God, my conscience is clear to this day. Also because the approach of the head of our political team, Nikol Pashinyan, was very clear in the most problematic issues. rely on objective data and make a reasoned decision without taking into account any political, group or personal interests.
It is one of the most important questions. On the one hand, there are environmental risks, on the other, there are economic risks. Political and geopolitical from the side. And making a decision on this issue implies a difficult, heavy, extremely heavy responsibility.
To understand how big the responsibility is, keep in mind that it took the Prime Minister more than 1 year to fully understand the situation, to analyze the visible and invisible risks.
And the prime minister is ready to make a decision.
I think you won’t argue that he is the most competent person in this matter, and due to his position, he possesses all the information.
I have no doubt that he does not have any personal interests and has chosen the option that is the most correct for our country, if not beneficial, then at least the one that implies the least harm.
Let’s be honest. The easiest option for any government that is afraid of taking responsibility is a referendum. You leave the decision to the people and the responsibility of its consequences on the shoulders of the people.
I myself have my own approach to Amulsar, which is based on my own analysis, which has not changed in the last year and a half and which I have talked about many times. Personally, for me, the referendum is not the best option, because a seemingly fair, but not necessarily correct, decision will be made. People can sometimes make mistakes in specific issues due to insufficient knowledge or information about a specific issue.
But the referendum is also one of the options.
In any case, regardless of what decision the prime minister will make, independently or through a referendum, I share that responsibility with him.
And this is not a pathetic statement, but a conscious one, clearly imagining his competence and impartiality.
If the Prime Minister’s decision on such an important issue was diametrically different from my approach, I would resign my mandate and criticize that approach.
That’s all.
Believe me, I know the ways to please the voters, the ways to look cute better than most. But I came to the National Assembly with the vote received by Pashinyan, and my goal is not to be elected the next time at any cost, but to contribute to making the right, even if unpopular, decisions.”
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/ru_RU/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.6&appId=403315783090535”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1&appId=429534133762584”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
Interview between Time.news Editor and Babken Tunyan
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, Babken. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. You’ve recently discussed the controversial Amulsar issue on your social media platform, highlighting the complexities surrounding it. Can you elaborate on your stance regarding the referendum option?
Babken Tunyan: Thank you for having me. The Amulsar issue represents a significant crossroads for Armenia, balancing economic interests and environmental sustainability. I believe a referendum is not the optimal solution. While it appears democratic, the potential for misinformation and public misunderstanding can lead to decisions that are not in our best interest.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. You mentioned that the easiest option for a government is to pass the responsibility to the people. Why do you think that is?
Babken Tunyan: In politically charged times, leaders may shy away from making tough decisions for fear of backlash. By passing the responsibility to the populace, they shield themselves from direct accountability. However, that approach can detract from the careful deliberation that complex issues like Amulsar necessitate.
Editor: You’ve expressed that you and the Prime Minister share this weighty responsibility. How do you reconcile your need for objective data with the emotional and political pressures surrounding such decisions?
Babken Tunyan: It’s challenging, for sure. I often have sleepless nights, contemplating whether I’m making the right choices. However, I remind myself that our commitment to rely on concrete data and reasoned analysis—without succumbing to personal or group interests—helps guide us. It’s crucial for the welfare of our citizens.
Editor: Speaking of citizens, how do you address the potential for public dissent if the decision doesn’t align with popular opinion?
Babken Tunyan: I understand that dissent is part of a healthy democracy. However, it’s important to educate the public on the nuanced stakes involved in decisions like Amulsar. If people are better informed, we minimize the chances of missteps that could arise from ill-informed choices.
Editor: You’ve mentioned that the Prime Minister is well-equipped to tackle this issue. What qualities do you think make him particularly suited for such decisions?
Babken Tunyan: His ability to act on comprehensive insights and data regarding the Amulsar situation is invaluable. He approaches issues holistically rather than narrowly, weighing both immediate and long-term effects. I trust that he has no personal agendas influencing his decisions; his focus remains entirely on national interests.
Editor: Let’s talk about the economic versus environmental risks involved. How do you believe we can achieve a balance between the two?
Babken Tunyan: It is indeed a tightrope walk. We need to pursue sustainable economic strategies that do not compromise our environmental integrity. This requires innovative policies, investment in renewable energy, and engaging with experts in both fields to ensure that our decisions truly serve the people and the planet.
Editor: Lastly, as you prepare to navigate these turbulent waters, what message do you want to convey to the people about the path forward for Amulsar?
Babken Tunyan: I want the public to understand that every decision made will be rooted in a holistic analysis aimed at protecting our environment while considering our economic needs. While the road ahead may be complex and fraught with challenges, I assure you that we are committed to doing what is right for Armenia. Together, we will be responsible stewards of our nation’s future.
Editor: Thank you, Babken, for sharing your insights. Your openness and dedication to this matter is commendable, and we look forward to following the developments regarding the Amulsar issue.
Babken Tunyan: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important issues. I appreciate it.