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Russia's Communists say Putin poverty promises won't wash
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a state-of-the-nation address in Moscow, Russia, today
VLADIMIR PUTIN’S pledges to raise living standards and fight poverty in Russia were dismissed today as “half measures” which would not make up for his own government’s attacks on social security.
President Putin’s state of the nation speech promised preferential mortgages and new child benefit payments for large families, an attempt to reverse the population decline that set in following the restoration of capitalism in 1991.
He also promised tax breaks for property developers, supposedly to solve the housing crisis, and promised action to help the 19 million Russians who live below the official poverty line.
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