Putin accused of bribing electorate to save ruling party Russ | Vigilant Info

Putin accused of bribing electorate to save ruling party

Russian President Vladimir Putin was in a generous and agreeable mood when he attended a congress of the ruling but reeling United Russia party just weeks ahead of nationwide legislative elections.
After he and party leaders considered a range of proposals on ways the pro-Kremlin party could move forward, Putin gave his stamp of approval to some new programs and sweetened others with federal funds.
“A pension increase of 1,000 rubles ($13.50) is not enough,” he told delegates at the August 22 event in Moscow. “I propose additionally paying pensioners this year a one-time payment of 10,000 rubles ($135).”
It would only be fair, Putin added, to also give all military personnel and cadets, as well as law-enforcement officers, a one-off payment of 15,000 rubles ($200).
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