Strong Armenia party pledges free utilities for poor households

The Strong Armenia party has pledged to eliminate electricity and water bills for low-income households and provide monthly cash assistance to citizens living in extreme poverty if elected in Armenia's parliamentary elections on June 7.

The proposals were outlined by Narek Karapetyan, a board member of the party, during a televised election debate broadcast by Armenia's Public TV Company.

Karapetyan said the measures were part of a broader five-year program aimed at boosting industrial development, creating jobs and reducing poverty.

"Over the next five years, we have major work ahead to industrialize the country and tackle poverty," he said.

According to Karapetyan, around 650,000 people in Armenia currently live in poverty. He said job creation would be the cornerstone of the party's strategy to improve living standards and reduce dependence on social assistance.

As part of the plan, individuals classified as living in extreme poverty would receive monthly payments of 150,000 drams (approximately $390), while qualifying low-income households would be exempt from paying electricity and water bills.

Karapetyan said the utility subsidy program would be financed through a combination of public and private funding.

"Our citizens should not have to spend their last resources on utilities," he said.