Yerevan.Today continues to provide coverage of Nikol Pashinyan’s speeches and photos. On July 20, 2018, in Yerevan, Pashinyan gave a speech where he expressed confidence in the government’s ability to bring economic growth to the citizens. This statement has been reiterated multiple times by Pashinyan and the ruling party, CPP, who claim that the citizens are already experiencing the effects of this growth.

In a November 11, 2022 interview with the Public Television, Pashinyan emphasized his belief in the right socio-political order, with economic growth being a significant factor in maintaining stability. He acknowledged that the citizens are starting to feel the impact of this growth, but added a caveat.

However, the reality of poverty in Armenia paints a different picture. Official statistics state that poverty accounts for about 25 percent of the population, but experts estimate that the actual number is even higher. In 2018, poverty was at 23.4 percent and has subsequently increased. This indicates that the citizens are not benefiting from the economic growth. Instead, the benefits seem to be concentrated in the hands of government officials, members of the National Security Council CPP, and others who have seen a significant increase in their wealth over the years.

On August 17, 2018, the Republic’s Administration released a statement ensuring the public that every donated dram from the state budget is being utilized to maximize welfare. However, the disparity between the government’s promises and the reality of poverty raises questions about the effectiveness of these measures.