Yerevan’s 2026 budget approved amid disagreements and reciprocal accusations
According to the voting results, 34 members of the City Council voted in favor, 17 voted against, and 2 abstained.
Under the approved budget, Yerevan’s revenues for 2026 are projected at 151.5 billion AMD, and expenditures at 156.8 billion AMD, resulting in a budget deficit of 5.3 billion AMD.
Yerevan’s 2025 budget was initially approved at 159,399,554.2 thousand AMD, with the adjusted version reaching 156,801,766.7 thousand AMD, while the actual revenues for 2024 amounted to 116,715,550.3 thousand AMD.
The revenues projected in the budget draft have decreased by 4.98% compared to the approved 2025 figure. The decline in revenue is due to a reduction in funds received from the state budget for financing the implementation of powers delegated to the Mayor of Yerevan by the state.
At the same time, the budget draft records an increase in Yerevan’s own revenues. In 2026, own revenues are projected at 94,887,788.0 thousand AMD, which is 4.65 billion AMD or 5.16% more than the 2025 figure.
The adoption of the budget was accompanied by disagreements, especially when Manuk Sukiasyan, the head of the “Mother Armenia” faction, recalled Aram Sargsyan’s words, noting that while there was talk of responding to Ilham Aliyev in the same manner if Arayik Harutyunyan were “stolen,” today the situation is different: Arayik Harutyunyan is in a Baku prison, while Aliyev is at his home. Following this statement, tension arose in the session hall; several council members stood up and began arguing loudly.