[ad_1]
Moscow – In Russia, tens of thousands of people across the country have protested against the expected increase in the retirement age. In addition to the capital, Moscow and the second largest city of Russia, Saint Petersburg, rallies were held Saturday in dozens of other places, to which the Communist Party had called
Women of 63, men of 65 years
Vladimir Putin wants to gradually increase the retirement age of women aged 55 to 63 and men from 60 to 65 years.
"We want to live off our pensions and not die at work," said one of the protesters in Moscow. Criticism refers to the relatively low life expectancy in Russia: an increase in retirement age could make men especially not retiring – they are on average 65 years old.
According to organizers in Moscow 100,000 people. "Tens of thousands of people gathered here to say no to this pension reform," Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov told protesters. 2.9 million people signed a petition
In Siberian Siberia, 1,200 people demonstrated, according to the Russian news agency Tbad, citing the city administration. There were about a thousand participants in St. Petersburg. There have also been rallies in other cities of the West and the Far East.
In addition, 2.9 million people have already signed a petition against the pension reform. Prior to his reelection in March, President Putin pledged not to raise the starting age. Now, however, the reform is being debated in Parliament at the initiative of his party "United Russia". Putin's popularity rates fell from 80% in May to 64% in July
The age of retirement is currently one of the lowest in the world
Currently, women have to work until the age of 55 years. is one of the lowest in the world. Experts believe that the reforms announced on the first day of the World Cup in their own country are one of the biggest challenges for President Putin because of declining standard of living in Russia.
The head of state said last week that he does not like to raise the retirement age. Nothing to do, but not an option. "Some important decisions are needed," said Putin.
"Many believed Putin when he said that there would be no pension reform," said protester Irina Ivanova in St. Petersburg. "I am very disappointed with him," added the 49-year-old
Galina Nikiforova, a 59-year-old female protester, stressed that older women in Russia are unlikely to find a job. "They do not hire anyone over 50," she said.
Criticism also came from the opposition leader Alexei Nawalny. "We all understand very well this: the only real purpose of this" reform "is to steal the public," he writes on his blog. (APA / AFP)
Source link
