Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered pensioners to pay a benefit of 10,000 rubles (115 euros), apparently trying to increase support in the run-up to the September parliamentary elections, in which the unpopular ruling Russia party is facing heavy fighting.
The Kremlin’s rating has suffered as a result of rising prices and falling wages.
According to the Kremlin’s statement, Putin ordered pensioners to pay 10,000 rubles in September, effectively doubling the amount of the monthly state pension, which is about the same.
Putin also on Sunday urged the armed forces to pay 15,000 rubles in bonuses.
Back in June, he urged billions to be spent on road repairs and the development of public transport, infrastructure and healthcare.
United Russia’s ratings began to fall sharply in 2018, when the government adopted the controversial pension reform and raised the retirement age.
Russia’s economy has stagnated as a result of sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
“United Russia” is currently supported by 30% of the population, according to a survey conducted by the research center VCIOM. Compared to the 2016 elections, support has fallen by ten percentage points.
In the run-up to the elections, the Russian authorities have intensified their repression of the opposition and independent voices.-
The organizations of the imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny have been declared “extremist” and banned.
Several of his associates have fled the country, and others have been placed under house arrest.
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