Armenian presidential candidate Raffi Hovannisyan promises to put 300bln drams back into budget in his first year in office

YEREVAN, February 7. /ARKA/. Candidate for Armenia’s president Raffi Hovannisyan said he intends to put some 300bln drams back to the state budget in his first year in office.

“Some 250bln drams will be returned to the budget from the “shadow of oligarchy” and 50bln drams – from the “fat” accumulated by the state system. Consequently, we will see how pension of a common citizen, as well as expenditures for education, science, healthcare and defense will grow by 50% over a year”, Hovannisyan said in presenting his election program Wednesday.

The candidate pointed out his intention to root out corruption in all its forms and in all the fields.

“If over the last five years Diaspora’s investments in Armenia dropped by 300% due to corruption, then when we are in power, which means that people are in power, the investments will grow by 600% and 180,000 jobs will be opened at least within five years”, the presidential candidate said.

He also said that special focus will be placed on small and medium business, family enterprises, as well as rural and industrial sectors.

“The economic growth will hit at least 10% in new Armenia we will create. Each Armenian family will feel the results of the growth”, Hovannisyan said.

According to Hovannisyan, these measures will help some 600,000 people join the ranks of the middle class.

Armenian presidential elections will be held in Armenia on February 18. Eight nominees are running for president: current president Serzh Sargsyan, former prime minister and leader of Freedom party Hrant Bagratyan, former foreign minister and head of Heritage party Raffi Hovhannisyan, famous Soviet dissident and leader of National Self-Determination party Paruyr Hayrikyan, ex foreign minister of Karabakh Arman Melikyan, political scientist and head of Radio Hay Andrias Ghukasyan, philologist Vardan Sedrakyan and leader of National Consent party Aram Harutinyan. -0-