New Tax Code passes First Reading: BHK abstains from voting (video)
The new Tax Code of Armenia passed its first reading in the National Assembly, after receiving 68 votes in favour, 21 against and 18 abstentions. Before putting the bill to a vote, lawmaker Edmon Marukyan suggested recalling the bill as the legislature did not consider its impact on small and medium-sized businesses. Speaker of the Armenian Parliament, Galust Sahakyan, said ‘there is no violation of the law and lawmakers are free to voice their observations later.’ A number of opposition lawmakers expressed their disapproval of the bill, saying the adoption of the law is unacceptable for them. Levon Zurabyan, Head of the Armenian National Congress (HAK) faction, said there is a need to organize serious discussions on such an important document while opposition lawmaker Nikol Pashinyan said, “Once the bill is passed, it will increase the prices of gas and diesel fuel.” “Lawmakers of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK) will abstain from voting, considering the different views on the package,” said Naira Zohrabyan, Head of the BHK faction. Republican Vardan Ayvazyan said he did not see ‘any obstacle for rejecting the bill’ and said the legislature can discuss all observations and concerns during the Second Reading debates.
