Hayk Marutyan is one of the most criticized politicians

From 21 to 31 August, 2020, 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, 226 articles were declared, 144 of which were negative and 82 were neutral.

Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan is one of the most criticized politicians. No positive articles were published on him. The negative ones exceed the number of even neutral articles.

The media referred to Hayk Marutyan’s frequent vacations. He was also compared to former mayors: “The former mayor of Yerevan went on vacation twice during the first two years of his rule. Amid the extremely “hard and burdensome” work, Hayk Marutyan went on vacation again, that is the 5th time. Arsen Torosyan went on vacation twice, his predecessor, Levon Altunyan, once.”

According to media reports, the election of a deputy mayor will take place at the September 8 sitting of the Yerevan Council of Elders. It is already known that the candidate is Sergey Nersisyan, who is currently the assistant of Yerjanik Hakobyan, NA deputy of the “My Step” fraction. Moreover, a few days ago the candidate for deputy mayor has already met with the deputies of the ruling fraction and it is already known that many members of the Council of Elders are against the candidate nominated by Mayor Hayk Marutyan.

Davit Khazhakyan, a member of the Luys fraction of the Yerevan Council of Elders, referring to the operation of new  GAZelle cars in the transport network of the city of Yerevan, the competitions held and the removal of  GAZelles over 15 years old from the route, noted: ” They were not removed as Marutyan promised, there was an order to keep those over-worn  GAZelles until they see what will happen. There is a current government decision, according to which 15-year-old  GAZelles are not allowed to be exploited. If such  GAZelles crash, they will find an ordinary employee and hold him accountable. If there is a government decision and those  GAZelles are not decommissioned, then the government should change the decision and take responsibility.”

Davit Khazhakyan suggests leaving the arrogant attitude towards this case and involving private companies, joint operators, the two desirable ones and giving them guarantees that they will not be treated like many investors, and that both operators will bring new buses: “Of course, it will take a long time, but at least let’s start from now. One hundred buses will cost 25 million euros with the external debt of the government. The new transport network envisages 900 buses, what luxury should the government afford itself to go and bring buses to the capital? Bring the private companies. But Marutyan prefers that they are community property, so that they can buy gasoline and everything, and build the network independently.”

The press, referring to Arthur Meschyan’s resignation, wrote: “We were told the whole story of the appointment and tenure of the chief architect of Yerevan Arthur Meschyan. When Mayor Hayk Marutyan offered him to occupy that important position, Meschyan set a condition: the former architect of Yerevan Narek Sargsyan must give his consent. So, Hayk Marutyan had to ask for Narek Sargsyan’s permission. Having been in office for two years, Arthur Meschyan has always communicated and consulted with Narek Sargsyan regarding all issues. They met and had dinner together almost every week. When it became impossible to work with Hayk Marutyan, as he severely restricted the chief architect’s freedom and it was extremely difficult to resolve any issue, Meschyan decided to resign. Now he addresses Marutyan with the “worst” words, considering that he has “spoiled” him.”

The publication was prepared with the support of “Hayrenik” Development Foundation