10:58, 31 August 2018

Volgograd: at rally, Communists demand resignation of Russian government

Participants of the rally in Volgograd. Photo by Tatiana Filimonova for the Caucasian Knot

Participants in the rally of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) have criticized Putin's speech on the pension reform, calling it withholding of money from the population. Communists have called for the resignation of the government and holding an all-Russian referendum against the increase of the retirement age.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on July 19, Russian State Duma MPs approved the pension reform bill, which suggests an increase an increase of the retirement age for men from 60 to 65 years, and for women – from 55 to 63 years. One of the main arguments of the authorities in favour of the reform is the increased life expectancy of Russians.

On August 29, the Russian president pronounced an appeal to citizens, proposing a number of amendments to the bill already adopted by the State Duma in the first reading.

The rally was held on August 30 in Metallurgists Square in the Krasnooktiabrsky District of Volgograd, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, who attended the rally, reports.

According to organizers, the rally was more than 1000 people strong; both young and elderly people were present.

Communist Oleg Kravchenko, a 30-year-old participant of the rally, has treated the pension reform as "another wrecking initiative." "When bureaucrats realized that they can get into people's pockets, they began raising duties and VAT, and invented a super- wrecking project – virtually, a cancellation of pensions, because most people will not live until seeing them. Putin has disappointed everyone with his speech."

Andrei Shevchenko, the secretary of the CPRF regional committee, told the correspondent that Communists had gathered 60,000 signatures against the increase of the retirement age. "After the adoption of the bill, we'll send them to Moscow," he said.

In the resolution of the rally, Communists called for the resignation of the government and holding a referendum on the pension issue.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 31, 2018 at 02:52 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.