VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
The election of Dmitry Medvedev as Russia’s President appeared to be a big victory for controlled “sovereign democracy.” Operation Successor was planned and carried out so smartly that it looked almost like a miracle of modern technologies, or rather political technologies. They had no problem ensuring the required number of votes.
The presidential elections are over, and some readers will soon have to think about what to do with the former president’s portrait.
Last Friday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is at least an informal head of United Russia, met with the party’s leadership. With his annual report in the State Duma coming in April, Friday’s discussions could be described as a rehearsal for it. The conversation did not last long (just over an hour).
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Dmitry Medvedev’s election to the Russian presidency. Of course, there will be no lack of congratulations and expressions of loyalty from members of the political class. This is the core part of the “programme”. Equally obligatory in such cases is criticism – both direct and “wrapped up” in the same congratulations. In this case, it will be meaningfully reduced to stating “disappointment” in Medvedev’s first year and to deliberations about “missed opportunities” and “remaining chances”.
In 2009, pensions in Russia will be indexed four times, not three, as it was initially planned, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said. The number of pension indexations will depend on the inflation level this year: If it proves higher than the planned target, pensions will be increased in line with a rise in prices. The current law on the budget projects the price rise of 6%-7.5%, whereas the Economic Development Ministry’s latest inflation forecast is 13%. In January, the prices rose by 2.4%, and the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) forecasts a 1.6% rise in February.
Three-year budget planning may be suspended in Russia and the quotas for financing the budget deficit increased. A government meeting on economic issues, to be chaired by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, will discuss these proposals today.
The gradual devaluation of the rouble has mitigated the impact of the crisis on people, said Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, thus supporting the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry’s actions.
Demand for souvenirs with the images of Russia’s top leaders has been falling in Moscow since the New Year. This reflects the general downward trend in souvenir sales as most people in the country cannot afford gifts even if they are adorned with the portraits of the country’s leaders. MK has looked into the situation in this specific segment of the market.
Vladimir Putin has shared his views on how to keep teenagers from smoking and alcohol
A conference of European ministers in charge of social cohesion sponsored by the Council of Europe and the Russian Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development will take place in Moscow today. It will be opened by the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe TERRY DAVIS who told Kommersant’s MIKHAIL ZIGAR why Europe is disappointed with Russia.
