Grozny market sellers’ protests highlight weaknesses in Kadyrov’s policy

Actions in protest against the growth of rent at the market in Grozny may end with apologies from the protesters. However, the protest may force Ramzan Kadyrov to intervene in tariff regulation in order to prevent an increase in dissatisfaction with the economic situation in the republic, analysts say.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on December 10, several dozen women went to a protest action against a sharp increase in the rent for places at the “Berkat” market.

The protest demonstrates that the Chechen authorities are failing to take full control of the people’s dissatisfaction with the socio-economic situation, says Svetlana Gannushkina, the chair of the “Civic Assistance Committee”*.

Political analyst Aleksei Malashenko does not consider the scenario with the apologies of the protesting women possible. According to the expert, the Ramzan Kadyrov’s goal is to demonstrate that he is in control of the situation, so, the leader of Chechnya will have to act very carefully.

Aleksei Malashenko does not rule out that the Akhmat Kadyrov Foundation will take over the additional payment for the increased tariffs.

If the socio-economic situation deteriorates, the protests will become more widespread, believes Ruslan Kutaev, the president of the Assembly of Caucasian Nations. According to him, the protests are perceived by the authorities of Chechnya as a real threat to the power.

* The organization is included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in the register of NPOs performing the functions of a foreign agent.