Strong Armenia party sets out economic pledges ahead of June elections

The Strong Armenia party has unveiled a package of economic and social pledges ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections on 7 June, positioning businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan at the centre of its campaign platform.

The party says that, if elected, it plans to invest $1bn in Armenia’s tourism sector in an effort to boost economic growth, expand infrastructure and increase employment opportunities.

Among its flagship proposals is a programme to provide 1,000 apartments each year to servicemen at a 50% discount. The party says the initiative is intended to improve housing access for military personnel and their families.

The platform also includes a monthly payment of 40,000 drams for conscript soldiers, alongside proposed salary increases of between 20% and 25% for teachers and healthcare workers.

In addition, the party has pledged to eradicate extreme poverty.