Saving and raising
United Russia predictably won most regional elections in dozens of Russian federal entities due to severely limited competition as most opposition candidates were not given a chance to participate. Despite landslide victories in the largest and most important ones, United Russia supported candidates could not win governor elections in the first tour in four entities and is likely to end up losing at least one of those. Although a rather small defeat for national politics, it is still an indication of public tiredness and disappointment.
President Putin personally interfered in the pension reform discussion introducing several measures to mitigate some of its negative consequences for people approaching the retirement age. The intervention came right before the election to ease the reform’s impact on United Russia standing and to allow Putin remain at least partially a good policeman in that overall negative discussion.
Putin’s economic aide suggested taking USD 7 billion from companies in metals and mining, chemical and petrochemical industries that received extra gains recent to fund Presidential May 2018 decrees fulfillment. The companies in question and the government found a compromise solution that involves them voluntarily investing in national infrastructure projects.
The Russian public remains unconvinced and confused regarding Russian authorities involvement in Skripals’ poisoning. On the one hand, they have not seen entirely convincing evidence yet. On the other hand, the bureaucracy’s clumsy attempts to respond to allegations seem greater proof than anything presented by the investigation.
The number of heavy smokers is gradually decreasing in Russia and majority of those still smoking are considering quitting smoking in the near future. That intention is especially strong among people aged 25-45.
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