Give everything away

Members of the Duma faction “United Russia” presented an open letter on December 16, criticizing the policy of the Ministry of Finance in the crisis. According to the authors of the letter, the funds of the Stabilization Fund should be distributed to “ordinary buyers,” that is, “people in stores, car dealerships, and real estate offices,” who “will distribute them perfectly themselves,” Rossiyskaya Gazeta cites fragments of the letter.

Thus, according to some United Russia members, the problem of how to stimulate demand will be solved. In addition, they demand more active support for citizens in particular need of help - the disabled, pensioners and others. Other proposals include increasing real incomes of the population and social payments, preventing increases in housing and communal services tariffs, establishing a state employment fund, introducing criminal liability for heads of enterprises for hiring the labor of illegal migrants, expanding the circle of citizens entitled to receive subsidies for housing, and legislative restrictions on the capabilities of banks. unilaterally increase lending rates on previously issued loans.

The government's transfer of large amounts of money to banks to support the economy has repeatedly become a source of criticism, since the money from the banks does not reach the people. However, the newspaper notes that the deputies did not provide any specific facts to illustrate the accusations.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also spoke about increasing incomes and social benefits in a conversation with the people. It is still unclear where the money for this will come from amid the crisis and promises to reduce taxes. He also spoke about reducing the quota for attracting foreign labor by 50% - work, as they say, is underway. In addition, the newspaper reports that the government is already reviewing tariffs for housing and communal services and is working to create an employment fund. Deputies in this situation are apparently trying to reveal their involvement in the work. “The leader of our party outlined a strategy,” the newspaper quotes the words of Andrei Isaev, First Deputy Secretary of the Presidium of the General Council of United Russia, “and we are now trying to develop a tactic that would be the most effective.”

Rossiyskaya Gazeta notes that not all members of the faction supported the authors of the letter. Members of one of the political clubs of United Russia, November 4, noted that the proposals of their colleagues are sinning with populism and will not bring anything good. (Apparently, this does not apply to all proposals, because otherwise they would have to admit that the measures proposed by the prime minister himself and their leader are populist and will not bring anything good.)