Page 26 - RusRPTOct20

“Russia’s budget policy rests on a mix of populism, higher taxes for the middle class and promises of continued fiscal support for the poor, each seen as an effective tool to garner support for the ruling party in an election year. However, we are not sure in this approach: we would not be surprised to see populist pressures on the government rising rapidly by mid-2021, ahead of the next Duma elections. Nevertheless, the current stringent budget framework certainly provides authorities with flexibility, especially if the future macro picture turns out to be more upbeat than that projected in the new budget,” says Tikhomirov.
2.10 ​ “​Putin’s chef” seizes opposition activist Alexei Navalny’s apartment in attempt to “ruin” him
Russian bailiffs have seized the Moscow apartment of Alexei Navalny on September 24 as the close personal ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s Chef,” follows through on threats to bankrupt anti-corruption blogger and opposition activist.
Prigozhin earned his moniker as he runs a catering service that supplies the Kremlin. He also heads the notorious Wagner military mercenaries company that was contracted to fighting on Russia’s behalf in Syria and in other clandestine operations in the Middle East and Africa.
Last year Prigozhin took personal ownership of a RUB88mn ($1.1mn) damages award imposed by a court on Navalny for a liable case he lost after he accused Prigozhin for causing a dysentery outbreak among Moscow
26 ​RUSSIA Country Report​ October 2020 ​ ​www.intellinews.com