A man steps on a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a rally against proposed pension reforms in Moscow, last weekend. A government bid to dramatically raise the retirement age is sparking wide public anger. (Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters)
Asia Times: Russian pension reform sparks protests as Putin’s ratings fall
All sides of politics oppose move to make people work longer – a rare PR disaster for the 'president for the people'
“Pension reform is genocide!” “You deprive us of our pension – we deprive you of your authority!” “We don’t want to die working!”
These were only some of the slogans shouted by Russian protesters during mass rallies last weekend, held in response to a new reform that will rise the retirement age in Russia. From Moscow to St Petersburg to Siberia to the country’s Far East, the rallies were a nationwide phenomenon across the world’s biggest country.
For Vladimir Putin, the situation represents a rare mis-step. The tough-guy president has, for years, presented himself as a national defender, fully in synch with the concerns of the Russian street.
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WNU Editor: This is Putin's base that is protesting .... and they are not happy. These protests are going to escalate in September .... Navalny Calls For Mass Rallies Against Pension Reform In September (RFE).
More News On Russia's Pension Protests
Anger in Russia over move to raise pension age beyond life expectancy -- CBC
Russia protests: Thousands rally over plan to raise pension age -- BBC
Not So United: Russia's Ruling Party Rattled By Pension-Reform Crisis -- RFE
Reversing Pension Policy in Russia...Again -- Foreign Policy Research Institute
ReplyDeleteThis looks like big history in the making. If Putin goes does the KGB mindset go with him?
I never thought in my life I would see the fall of the Berlin Wall or the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Never. Now one can buy pieces of that wall most likely.
There's something to be said for living a long life.
This is very interesting. I recall a nascent opposition to Putin in 2014. Then Ukraine happened, the US supported the coup, sanctions against Russia, the Russian people are driven into the arms of Putin, and the nascent opposition
ReplyDeleteto Putin ends.
Now fast forward to 2018. Nascent opposition among Putin's base and we talk about admitting Georgia to NATO. Such talk would be bound to boost Putin's support. Some are just to stupid to know they are stupid.
Then again, undermine Putin would be about the worst thing we could do right nkw. Any replacement would be more anti-American and they'd inherit arguably the world's most powerful military. Furthermore, while certain crazies have undermined a careful diplomatic effort, on a certain level the rapport between Putin, Trump, and their teams still exists. If Putin is removed without a handpicked successor , this means starting over with the diplomatic effort and the actions of the crazies in the US is not going to diminish.
We are going to need Russian help in a number of areas. To name two, Iran and China. In light of this, it would seem that perhaps extreme care should be taken NOT to undermine Putin. At a minimum, we need to be extremely circumspect
Putin is doing the right thing. If he can pass this pension reform he will leave his greatest legacy to the Russian people, even if this people do not understand. Pension reforms are essential and unpopular in any country in the world.
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ReplyDeleteI'm considering the newer Russians. Russia's own cell phone Millenials crowd. The ones who aren't as fervent about celebrating the winning of WWII. Lenin is an old mummy in a refrigerator in Moscow.
For you old enough to know and remember I have a tiny S.Vietnamese colors decal on my car. This year some 30 something asked me what that meant. Boy....if you don't think that had an impact unlike anything, ANYTHING I have ever experienced....
So like Macarthur once said about old soldiers and fading away, that's simply what happens. No skin in the game for younger generations. I have a feeling this situation is growing with the passing of generations in Russia. WWII was last century. The internet and the adoption of English is world wide. The differences are dissolving. I can easily see Putin and Trump mending fences to some extent when it's beneficial. They're politicians, after all. Plus, Trump builds tourist stuff and tourists mean rubles in a greying Russia.
They will work things out.