Hayastan bloc pledges tax cuts, pension hike

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia’s National Assembly opposition Hayastan faction secretary Artsvik Minasyan presented the bloc’s socio-economic priorities as part of its pre-election program, highlighting deep-rooted social issues and unequal income distribution.

He announced plans to revise electricity tariff policy, aiming to reduce daytime tariffs, as well as to lower property taxes, Panorama.am reports.

“We will reduce property tax. The excessively high increase planned for 2026 will be canceled, and a luxury tax will be introduced so that the wealthy and ultra-wealthy pay instead of low- and middle-income citizens. We will restore social solidarity through fair income redistribution,” Minasyan said.

He added that universal income declaration would also be abolished, while strengthening the model of a social state.

According to him, vulnerable groups’ incomes have not kept pace with rising living costs, including food, medicine, utilities, property taxes, and public transport fares.

“Hundreds of thousands of citizens face a daily dilemma — whether to pay for heating or essential medication with their limited income,” he said.

The bloc prioritizes reducing social polarization through several measures:

The minimum wage will be aligned with the minimum consumption basket and automatically indexed to inflation.

The basic pension will increase by at least 50% and will also be indexed to inflation.

In winter, gas and electricity costs will be fully subsidized for socially vulnerable single pensioners and extremely poor families with children.

Minasyan also noted plans to attract part of the estimated $400 billion in global Armenian capital through a “Multi-purpose Fund.”

He added that the health insurance system will be maintained but improved to address existing issues.

To support families, the bloc proposes a “family growth model,” under which income tax would decrease by an additional 2% for each second child and beyond.

Additional proposals include recognizing taxi drivers’ and farmers’ work years as pensionable service, abolishing the penalty points system for traffic violations, and raising the speed tolerance threshold from 10 to 15 km/h.

Minasyan concluded that the presented program reflects minimum commitments, adding that broader reforms could be implemented if the bloc gains public trust.

Parliamentary elections in Armenia are scheduled for June 7, 2026.