“Aravot”: How Much Does One Day of the Prime Minister’s Life Cost? Edgar Ghazaryan Questions Lilit Makunts
During the parliamentary discussion of the draft 2027 state budget, Edgar Ghazaryan, an MP from the “Strong Armenia” faction, demanded that Lilit Makunts, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister, clarify how much money from the state budget is spent on matters related to Nikol Pashinyan’s personal lifestyle and preferences.
As “Aravot” writes, Ghazaryan specifically asked about the annual maintenance costs of the Kond summer residence, requesting the amounts allocated in 2026 and planned for 2027. The MP noted that the prime minister often presents his modest lifestyle through videos—“kukuruz, perashki, ttu” (“corn, perashki, pickles”)—but citizens should know how much one day of the prime minister’s life actually costs at the expense of state funds.
Ghazaryan also asked about the funding of the “Varchabend” vocal-instrumental ensemble created with the participation of the prime minister, asking whether the expenses had been covered from the funds of the Prime Minister’s Office and whether the ensemble’s members had received honoraria. He was particularly interested in the amount paid to the drummer.
The MP’s next question concerned cycling events organized with the participation of the prime minister. According to him, during a two-day cycling event in Sevan, food expenses alone amounted to around AMD 5 million. Ghazaryan demanded a detailed breakdown of the expenses, particularly asking how such an amount could have been spent on food for around 30 participants over two days.
The MP also criticized the absence of events for national holidays and commemorative days in the Prime Minister’s Office’s 2027 program, pointing to Independence Day, First Republic Day, the Liberation of Shushi Day, Defenders’ Day, and the May 8 Victory and Peace Day.
Lilit Makunts responded that, as in previous years, state holidays would be marked under the organization of the relevant agencies. As for the questions concerning specific expenses and their details, she suggested that the MP submit a written inquiry, promising to provide the necessary information.
Edgar Ghazaryan complained about Makunts’s lack of preparation, emphasizing that an official participating in a budget discussion should be familiar in advance with information concerning the expenses in the area they represent and be prepared to answer MPs’ questions.