Putin Promises to Increase Pensions

[Rose Siding]

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- President Vladimir Putin promised a moderate increase in pensions Monday and blamed federal and regional officials for failing to properly implement the Kremlin-sponsored social reform, seeking to assuage a growing tide of public anger over welfare benefit cuts.

Putin's first comments on the issue came as lines of police blocked hundreds of protesters from retaking a major intersection in central St. Petersburg, his hometown. Thousands of pensioners occupied the intersection Saturday and Sunday, bringing traffic to a halt.
...
"The Cabinet and the regions have failed to fully implement the task we had discussed: not to worsen the position of those who need the state's help," a somber-looking Putin told Cabinet members in a partially televised session.
...
The wave of protests has forced concessions from authorities in many regions. Officials in St. Petersburg promised subsidized travel passes, and the Moscow region pledged to fully restore free rides on public transport for all retirees after they repeatedly blocked key highways.

Observers have said the protests likely would intensify when people start receiving January utility bills, which will increase significantly without government subsidies.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-russia-protests,0,5001981.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

Hmmm...Waves of nation wide protests are effective. Interesting.

[Richardo]

1. 'Pensions' or 'tensions'?

I think the latter, based on his past behavior.

[Gusto md]

4. For a second there......

I thought I saw 'Bush Promises to Increase Tensions'...!

[w4rma]

2. "Promises". His Party has full control of the government. He could get it

done today if he really wanted it done.

[Menshevik]

3. the pensions are a joke

$10??? WTF was the government thinking?

When I studied there, a monthly pass for the Moscow metro was $15! Give the pensioners back their free benefits! Good for them for protesting.