Opposition treats new tariffs in Azerbaijan as anti-popular

The revision of tariffs on electricity and natural gas in Azerbaijan will inevitably lead price rise on goods and services, said the economists, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot". This will negatively impact the population, oppositionists have added.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 28, the Tariff (Price) Council of the Azerbaijani government decided to introduce "a differentiated system" of paying for public services. New gas tariffs will take effect from January 1, 2017; and new electricity ones – since December 1, 2016.

The decisions of the Tariff Council will have long-term economic consequences, said Gubad Ibadoglu, the head of the Economic Research Centre.

"We should expect a rise in prices on all goods and services, the prime cost of which includes the costs of gas and electricity," Mr Ibadoglu told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Ali Kerimli, the leader of the oppositional Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), treated the decisions of the Tariff Council as anti-popular ones.

"We have witnessed another anti-popular decision of the corrupt regime. Apart of a few exceptions, the gas tariff will increase by 100%; the electricity one – by 57%. This anti-popular government finds it more important to spend billions on all sorts of empty projects, like ‘European Games’, ‘Formula-1’ motor race, rather than improving the living standards of the population," Ali Kerimli told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.