From 11 to 20 August, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the mayor of Yerevan, Hayk Marutyan’s personality and activities.
35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 218 articles were declared, 95 of which were negative, 2 were positive and 121 were neutral.
Though it is actively discussed on Facebook that new garbage trucks have been brought and the city cleanliness will soon be improved, Yerevan mayor Hayk Marutyan remains in the spotlight of criticism.
Actor Sargis Grigoryan also touched upon the mayor and said he regrets that his friend and actor Hayk Marutyan is not continuing his acting career. “My good friend, great actor Hayk Marutyan does not have a proper education and consciousness to hold the position of a Yerevan Mayor.”
According to media outlets, Hayk Marutyan may resign because of the Amulsar problem. The mayor has not yet commented on the exploitation of the mine which has been a basis for supposition that Mr․ Marutyan may disagree with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. According to public impression, Hayk Marutyan has betrayed the people and the former activist mayor, who had been on the side of the people on various social issues, is now silent.
There was a time when the members of Yerevan’s Council of Elders from “Yerkir Tsirani” faction tried to pour sewage water on Taron Margaryan, in fact this practice was not abolished, and Sona Aghekyan, a former member of Council of Elders, brought a bucket of sewage water from Aghyusagortsner Street to the Municipality.
There are still public concerns about garbage disposal. According to media reports, the issue has become so critical that the Prime Minister is already intervening in the matter. Nikol Pashinyan-Hayk Marutyan meeting was perceived as a show. According to another publication, the Prime Minister has realized that Hayk Marutyan is cheating on some issues.
Comparisons between the head of the “Kentron” Administrative District, Victor Mnatsakanyan and Hayk Marutyan have begun on the social network. It is mentioned that Victor Mnatsakanyan is more competent.
