Samson Grigoryan: Authorities are ‘Whining, Incapable Populists’ on Traffic Issue
YEREVAN, April 18 – Prominent businessman Samson Grigoryan has taken to Facebook to express his strong disapproval of the Armenian authorities’ approach to the severe traffic congestion plaguing Yerevan. In a lengthy post published on Friday, April 17, Grigoryan accused officials of being ‘whining, incapable populists and manipulators’ for failing to address the issue despite significant increases in budget revenue from vehicle-related taxes.
Grigoryan’s post, which quickly gained traction across Armenian social media, highlights a growing public frustration with the city’s traffic situation. He noted, “The entire Armenian Facebook is filled with people complaining about traffic jams. What are the authorities doing? They are also complaining, saying that cars are passing under yellow lights, and that 7,000 new cars are added each year.”
Increased Revenue, Stagnant Infrastructure
The businessman challenged the authorities’ narrative, arguing that the annual increase of 7,000 vehicles should be viewed as an opportunity, not just a problem. He pointed out that this influx of vehicles translates into substantial budget increases from property taxes alone, estimated at an average of 700,000,000 AMD per year for Yerevan’s budget. This figure, he stressed, doesn’t even account for the massive increase in other taxes, such as fuel taxes, spare parts and lubricants taxes, taxes from newly created jobs, and compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (CMTPL) taxes.
Grigoryan used a vivid analogy to illustrate his point: “Imagine you own a restaurant, and 7,000 new customers are added each year. Some customers like to smash their glasses on the floor after every toast, and you get five times the amount for that smashed glass from these wonderful customers simply by adding the damage to the bill.”
He continued, “Now, if after all this, you don’t use this additional money to expand your roads, build overpasses, open transit routes (in the case of our restaurant, build a second floor, buy additional tables and chairs, hire new staff), then who are you?”
Call for Change and Accountability
Grigoryan concluded his post by directly challenging the authorities: “That’s right, you are just a perpetually crying, whining, incapable populist and manipulator. Try to finally change.” His remarks underscore a demand for greater accountability and proactive governance in managing urban development and public services.
The criticism comes amidst broader public discourse on various issues in Armenia, as reflected in other news headlines from the same period, including political arrests, parliamentary debates, and international relations. Traffic congestion remains a persistent daily challenge for Yerevan residents, impacting quality of life and economic efficiency.
The authorities have not yet issued an official response to Grigoryan’s specific criticisms. However, the public nature and viral spread of his comments suggest that the pressure for concrete solutions to Yerevan’s traffic woes will likely intensify.
