Heritage Party leader and former presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisian called on those attending today’s protest against the mandatory pension system to turn “their words into deeds” with the ultimate aim of establishing a constitutional democracy free of current President Serzh Sargsyan.
Those opposed to the mandatory pension system recently introduced in Armenia organized a car convoy through the streets of Yerevan, using bullhorns to tell passersby about the mass rally/march set for Saturday at Liberty Square.
The “Dem EM” movement will kick-off a march through the streets of Yerevan to inform citizens of the mass rally planned for Saturday March 22.
“Dem Em”, the civic group spearheading opposition to the pension system as now constituted, says it will entertain dialog with the government only when the authorities express a willingness to remove the mandatory component from the law.
In an apparent conciliatory gesture to opponents of the mandatory pension plan, Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan today announced that he is ready to meet with them and discuss their concerns.
Those protesting Armenia’s newly introduced mandatory pension system have now gathered outside Yerevan’s Kentron (Central) Police Station.
“Elsewhere, it’s the driver of the deputy of the deputy that comes out to meet with citizens,” joked one protester.
Residents of the southern Armenian town of Kapan give a ‘thumbs down’ regarding the recently launched mandatory pension system in the country.
Scores of Yerevan subway workers have complained to management about the new pension system in Armenia, arguing that participation should be voluntary, not mandatory.