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
