The State Duma's discussion of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's report proceeded as usual – Gennady Zyuganov criticised, Vladimir Zhirinovsky yelled, Boris Gryzlov expressed consent and Nikolai Levichev reasonably adjusted.
Speaking yesterday in the Duma, Putin put an end to the economic crisis. He said the recession was over, largely because Russia had been well equipped to fight it. He noted that the country had paid dearly, but the government increased social expenditures instead of decreasing them even in the toughest of times. Izvestia experts analysed his programme speech and found some interesting regularities.
The prime minister's spring speech to the deputies is a new tradition. Yesterday's speech was only the second such oration in history. However, as he has often done over the past year, Putin managed to praise himself, that is, the government, and to set forth immediate goals for the future in only one hour and twenty minutes.
Beeping cars flooded central Moscow on the occasion. The capital was suffering from a major traffic jam, and cars were even parked on a nearby street that had been closed for the day. Duma deputies are rarely so enthusiastic about attending a session and often skip them. Journalists were even betting how many MPs would come to the session to listen to Putin. It appeared that 445 out of 450 turned up.
Putin was punctual and came to the parliament building several minutes before noon. At 12:07 p.m., he addressed the Duma audience to the accompaniment of the first of 43 ovations. The deputies did not even wait long enough to get bored.
"You remember how 2009 began," he said. "Those were the most difficult months of the economic downturn when almost all the economic indicators were dropping. Looking back, we can say the conditions were complicated. Today, they are far from favourable, but the gloomy predictions still haven't come true, and this isn't because we were just lucky."
Recalling the deplorable state of leading Western economies, Putin underscored the main concept of his report. Owing to the resolute and vigorous activities of the government and the successful implementation of anti-crisis measures, Russia had not only avoided cuts to its budget, but also even increased social expenditures.
Indeed, the government spent 5 trillion roubles on pensions, social benefits and wages. This is nearly half of all the budget expenses. Using their maternity capital, 118,000 families have fully or partially paid their mortgage loans to banks. By March, the unemployment level decreased considerably compared to the previous year, and stands at 6,400,000.
The country's demographic status has obviously improved. Last year, 50,000 more infants were born than the previous year, while mortality rate fell three percent.
The average life span has also already reached 69. The banking system has been saved from collapse, and industry is once again gaining momentum. Last year, inflation was registered at 8.8% – the lowest figure in the last eight years.
To sum up, the recession is over and the economy is showing signs of recovery.
"We not only resolved urgent problems in 2009, but also carried out a systemic transformation," Putin said, occupying his seat in the presidium in order to answer 12 questions from deputies. "All these measures enable us to switch – without losing our pace – from the anti-crisis management and anti-crisis agenda to steady, innovative development."
The deputies were interested in housing and utilities tariffs, excessive roaming prices, Moscow's special status, waste management, the environment and people who should have the right to appraise land. Criticism was mild and the remarks were peaceful.
However, the discussion was not entirely low-key.
Zhirinovsky, the leader of the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDPR), lashed out at Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, demanding his immediate resignation, "because he will never resign on his own free will."
Gennady Zyuganov, the leader of the Communist Party, followed up by demanding Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov's resignation, and threatening the government with early dissolution.
"We believe it is possible to take measures (for economic and social recovery – Izvestia), but they require political will," he said, as usual. "It's impossible to reach these goals with the current team. If things continue like this, the government's resignation will be inevitable."
Zyuganov's main point was that Russia occupies last place among the world's most industrialized countries. He stressed that Russia ranks 71st in human potential, and 124th in life expectancy and education.
"You are setting our proposals aside, but for the wrong reason," he said, addressing Putin.
Meanwhile, Gryzlov hastened to defend his party's patron, adding that the parliamentary majority will give all-round support to Putin's Cabinet of Ministers.
"I cannot share the pessimistic attitudes of our opposition," he said. "Our party has been and remains the main national political force, and we are fully aware of our responsibility to voters to implement national policy. Our parliamentary group will provide all the necessary legislative support to achieve results in implementing both the anti-crisis measures and strategic actions."
After the debates, the Duma discussed Putin's report at an extraplenary meeting. Despite the opposition's statements, it fully supported the government's actions.
Anastasia Savinykh