The ex-chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Bagrat Asatryan has returned from Europe. At his meetings with journalists he told about the difference he noted.

“I could hardly see any policemen in the streets. In Yerevan, they are ubiquitous,” said Asatryan, who is a member of the opposition Armenian National Congress (ANC).

He is also surprised at the numerous expensive cars in Yerevan “I saw only one Brabus in Berlin. But just see how many of them are in Yerevan`s streets,” he said.

Nonetheless, Asatryan said, the Armenian population is even poorer now than a couple of years ago, and expensive cars are evidence of deeper social polarization. According to Asatryan, the incomes of 80% of Armenian citizens is hardly equal to the cost of minimum food basket.