MP Martun Grigoryan from the "I Have Honor" faction explained his decision to participate in the upcoming extraordinary elections in Gyumri, stating that the voice of Gyumri residents has been silenced.

"We all know that, in reality, the voice of Gyumri’s residents has been taken away. They elected their mayor, but we saw what happened. The 'Balasanyan' alliance ceased its activities and resigned," he said, as reported by Panorama.am .

He emphasized that such situations should not be tolerated.

"The government does not want to work with the local leader and instead applies pressure to remove them from governance," he explained.

Discussing his broader motivations, Grigoryan recalled that he has been in politics for 18 years, 14 of which he served in the legislature. Throughout this time, he consistently raised issues concerning Shirak and Gyumri.

"I am fully aware of all the challenges facing Gyumri. Over the years, I have done everything possible to address the city’s problems," he noted.

The city faces numerous challenges, ranging from unresolved social issues stemming from the earthquake to deteriorating buildings, balconies, and archways.

"When people say poverty is in the mind, that is not true. There are real problems, and overcoming them cannot be left solely to individuals. We need various development programs. People have heard campaign promises before, but they remain empty-handed and disillusioned. Since 2016, Gyumri has found its path to development through tourism, showcasing its potential. Unfortunately, the sector is now in decline, despite its promise," he stated.

"My top priority will be the development of tourism."

Grigoryan dismissed claims that tourism cannot sustain and develop the city.

"Gyumri has begun to breathe and revive in recent years. My team has a solid tourism-related program that will help restore Gyumri’s former glory and increase visitor numbers. The city has this potential. Right now, the burden has fallen solely on private initiatives, but the mayor and the municipality have a significant role to play," he concluded.

The extraordinary municipal elections in Gyumri are scheduled for March 30. The campaign period runs from March 15 to March 28, until midnight.

Several candidates have already announced their participation, including well-known producer Ruben Mkhitaryan, MP Martun Grigoryan, former Gyumri mayor Vardan Ghukasyan, acting mayor Sariq Minasyan from the ruling party, and the Alternative Democratic party