YEREVAN. – The ongoing protest against the electricity price hike in Armenia is a political movement; but a political movement should not be confused with a political party movement.

Political technologist Armen Badalyan stated the above-said at a press conference on Friday. He explained that the current protest is not a political party movement.

In his words, however, all protests in Armenia are of a political nature.

“Political elements—[such as] closing of streets, sit-in, [and] hunger strike—are used in this process.

“Second, this was not a people’s movement. Yes, it was a protest action, but not nationwide.

“These were not spontaneous actions, but an organized political project,” Badalyan specifically stressed.

On June 22, numerous people—led by the “No to Plunder” initiative—staged a protest at Baghramyan Avenue, and demanded the revoking of the decision to raise the price of electricity in the country. In the morning of June 23, however, the police forcibly dispersed this sit-in. Since the evening of the same day, however, the demonstrators have resumed the sit-in at the avenue.

Despite numerous protests, the Public Services Regulatory Commission recently increased the price of electricity in Armenia by 6.93 drams—instead of 17 drams, proposed by the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA) Company—, per cubic meter, and this decision will take effect on August 1. But the decision is expected to be followed by an increase in the prices of numerous products and services in the country.

President Sargsyan, however, stated that the government will cover this price hike until an audit is conducted at the ENA, which supplies electricity to the country’s residents. Sargsyan also said he does not rule out returning the company to the Armenian government and transferring it to competitive management, if the audit shows that the aforesaid increase in electricity prices is unjustified.