Putin raises police and military salaries before elections

The Russian president Vladimir Putin approved today (13/9) higher salaries for police and military before the parliamentary elections elections, one of the many measures, say his critics, aimed at boosting their support for the ruling party.

The measure, which adjusts their income to a higher rate of inflation, comes just days before Russians go to the polls on September 17-19, in an election in which the ruling United Russia party is expected to prevail rather than the decline in its popularity, due to the declining course of living standards.

Putin’s decree, which was posted on the Kremlin’s website, states that police and military salaries will be adjusted to a higher rate than inflation in 2022 and 2023.

The increases, the exact details of which are not specified in the decree, are based on promises made by President Putin in August during a speech at a United Russia party rally.

Inflation in Russia reached 6.7% last month, well above the Central Bank’s target of 4%.

Putin last month approved a one-time payment of 15,000 rubles (174 euros) to firefighters, police, judiciary and the military, a move the Kremlin has described as a measure aimed at meeting their social needs.

He had pledged to make similar payments to retirees, many of whom have been hit by rising food prices and inflation.

Critics of the Kremlin say the measures amount to targeted bribes from key groups of voters on whom Putin relies in order to stay in power. The Kremlin denies that the payments are in any way related to the election.

Putin, who has been in power either as president or as prime minister since 1999, helped establish the ruling United Russia party, although he is not a member.