Putin Announces New Cash Handouts, Familiar Policies in Pre-Election Pitch
Bonuses for families were top of the agenda in a state of the nation address focused on Russia’s domestic problems.
By Jake Cordell
Updated:
Amid the pandemic and eight years of falling living standards, support for the ruling United Russia party has sunk to its lowest level since the annexation of Crimea. It also faces a new challenge in the upcoming vote in the shape of Navalny’s nationwide tactical voting campaign, which urges his supporters to back the candidate in their district which has the best potential to beat a United Russia contender, irrespective of their party affiliation or views, and has shown some success in local elections.
“This was, of course, purely a pre-election message,” said Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik analysis consultancy.