Vladimir Putin once again issued an appeal to the nation and proved once again its ability to non-trivial political moves. For more than three decades of relatively democratic elections, the Russians realized concrete pattern: on the eve of the popular will of the government is engaged in large-scale “distribution of elephants”, and after this point — the belt-tightening at those “elephants” were distributed.
June 23, 2020 this pattern was destroyed. “Distribution of elephants”, of course, took place — and how. Families with children were the highest given another lump sum payment of ten thousand for each child depletes the regional budgets — scale Federal assistance, the information technology industry — an unprecedented easing of the tax burden and the list goes on. But all this pales in comparison to the other news: considered one of the main economic achievements of two decades of Putin’s rule a flat tax on individual income will soon cease to be so flat.
However, on closer inspection, Putin’s “break the pattern” on the eve of a vital power to vote on amendments to the Constitution no longer seem so daring and incomprehensible.
increasing the income tax from 13% to 15% for those earning more than five million rubles a year is also an election measure. The measure, which, according to the idea of the Kremlin, should play to increase the popularity of the government. The theme of the blatant social inequality and lack of social solidarity between those who have too much and those who have too little — one of the main pain points for the government. Dashing “tax maneuver,” Putin aims to alleviate this problem and create the image of the Kremlin political force that is at the forefront of the struggle for justice in society.
higher taxes may be popular with citizens in only one case — if it does not concern them. In the case of increase in personal income tax from 13% to 15% for the vast majority of citizens of the Russian Federation so it is. Income of five million rubles a year or more is an unattainable dream for the majority of citizens of Russia. Accordingly, the fact that those who are not included in this bulk, there are now more shares to the Treasury, sure to be a popular decision. Moreover, it is not just about replenishing the state the pod, and target contribution for the solution of the problem, which can be indifferent only the most heartless of the person: the treatment of children with rare diseases.
De-facto Putin, addressing the Russian elite and upper middle class, he repeated the famous saying Yeltsin’s Minister of Finance Alexander Livshits: “it is necessary to Share!” Hard to think of BoLeah good way to gain popularity before the vote on the revision of the Constitution. The Communist party, which has for many years persistently insists on the need of revising the flat rate tax, nervously smokes on the sidelines. Of course, in parallel with the solution of the problem described above, the President was important not to alienate those who earn more than five million rubles a year. And this, in my opinion, GDP is also managed.
first, we are talking about a fairly modest increase. The maximum level of tax of 15% is nothing compared to, for example, with 40-45% (this is the rate of taxation of certain types of income in the UK).
second, the first five million who earn our rich Russian Pinocchio, is still taxed at 13%. The meter starts spinning at high speed only for amounts that exceed this level.
thirdly, for the top layer of Russians solution to the problem of seriously ill children is also important. Permanent nationwide to collect money for children with rare diseases is a national disgrace. For the deliverance of the country from this problem is not a sin and pay.
in Short, the GDP has achieved a rare situation when those who are satisfied, don’t hold it to myself, and those who are dissatisfied (these probably will be too), I prefer not to run into a powerful surge of public discussion, not to say it out loud.
For a large part of his speech Putin also something prefer not to speak aloud. The first mention of the fact that in less than ten days, we will trek to the polls, sounded only in the final of the President’s speech. And how skillfully the reference had been formulated! GDP is not addressed directly to people asking for support. Instead, they identify the following phrase: “the New constitutional provisions, if adopted, will set much higher demands on the effectiveness and content of our social, economic, policy, to the task of improving the quality of life and well-being of people. Please take this into account in their work and colleagues in government, and leaders of governments at all levels.”
the Phrase “I ask voters to take this fact into account” GDP is not said. But this, in fact, there was no need. The idea is similar to the content already hung in the air. Mention of the fact that the new version of the Constitution not only sets a higher bar for social policy, but will give Mr Putin the opportunity to run for the presidency, in the text of Putin’s speech was not there. But then again mention was not necessary.
All you had to say about GDP already said two days earlier, saying its already gone down in the annals fonce about the inadmissibility of “yaw eyes in search of possible successors instead of the normal rhythmic work.” In short, Bravo, Vladimir Vladimirovich. Without the slightest hint of irony admire your political skills and look forward to the answer to the question of how this enthusiasm was shared by other Russian voters. The wait is long — only until the first of July.
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