YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan) — "The negative attitude from the Communist Party of Armenia towards the budget can be explained by the fact that the budget submitted for approval does not ensure economic development and is not socially oriented," said Sergey Badalian–chairman of the Communist party and leader of its parliamentary faction.
The Communist faction was the only faction to vote against the 1997 draft budget which was approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday.
"We have clearly stated the position of our faction during the debates and at meetings with Levon Ter-Petrosyan and the government held on Monday," Badalian said. "We think that the budget is a result of poor policy. This budget does not create any possibilities for the restoration of the former economic power of the country."
According to Badalian–economic development would only be possible if radical changes to the budget and the policy of the government were implemented. "We believe that this budget would only lead to further economic deadlock," Badalian said–adding that of the 17 proposals submitted by his party– only four or five have been accepted. Proposals regarding privatization were not accepted–he said.