Armenians protest electricity prices

Media sources reported on 22 June 2015 that several thousand people had protested in Armenia's capital Yerevan against a recent decision to raise electricity prices. Police violence and arrests were also reported.

The electricity distribution company, which is a subsidiary of the Russian energy firm Inter RAO, justified the decision with the fall of the Armenian currency. The country, which joined the Russia-led Customs Union, has been badly hit by the economic downturn of its neighbour.

Western commentators and journalists in various sources suggested that the protests were expressions of discontent far beyond energy prices. A new generation was testing the political establishment.

On the 27 June 2015 The President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan announced a delay in the electricity price rises in an effort to end the immediate protests.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 24.06.15: Armenian protests: Thousands rally against energy price hike http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-33238070

The New York Times, 23.06.15: Armenia’s ‘Electric Yerevan’ Protesters Return to Streets Despite Arrests and Water Blasts http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/24/world/europe/armenias-electric-yerevan-protesters-return-to-streets-despite-arrests-and-water-blasts.html

Euronews, 23.06.15: Armenian police break up protests at electricity price rise in Yerevan http://www.euronews.com/2015/06/23/armenian-police-break-up-protests-at-electricity-price-rise-in-yerevan/

Sputnik International, 23.06.15: 18 Hurt, 237 Arrested Following Protests Over Electricity Rates in Armenia http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150623/1023730464.html

Euronews, 23.06.15: Armenian energy protests turn ugly with dozens of arrests http://www.euronews.com/2015/06/23/armenian-energy-protests-turn-ugly-with-dozens-of-arrests/

ECFR: Commentary, 26.06.15: Armenia: approaching the precipice http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_armenia_approaching_the_precipice

Deutsche Welle, 25.06.15: Political awakening in Yerevan http://dw.com/p/1FnR6

Sunday's Zaman, 27.06.15: Armenian president suspends electricity hikes behind protest http://www.todayszaman.com/latest-news_armenian-president-suspends-electricity-hikes-behind-protest_392131.html

BBC News, 27.06.15: Armenia protests: Electricity price hike suspended http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33301689

Deutsche Welle, 28.06.15: Armenia President Serzh Sargsyan suspends energy price hikes in face of demos http://dw.com/p/1FoW5

EurActiv, 26.06.15: Armenian government stands firm against protestors http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/armenian-government-stands-firm-against-protestors-315778

EurActiv, 29.06.15: Armenian president tries to defuse electricity protests http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/armenian-president-tries-defuse-electricity-protests-315829

Sputnik International, 28.06.15: Protesters in Yerevan to Hold Decisive Rally on Electricity Price Hike http://sputniknews.com/europe/20150628/1023943163.html

SETA: Opinion, 21.07.15: Can Protests Bring Major Change to Armenia? http://setav.org/en/can-protests-bring-major-change-to-armenia/opinion/26871

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