Russia Pension Reform: Lawmakers vote to raise retirement age by 5 years

World
Europe

02:21

It was a last chance to voice their anger. But despite this protest, Russian lawmakers have voted to raise the retirement age by five years.

PROTESTERS "The United Russia party and the President are not hearing us. Because they're rich people!"

Over the last three months, thousands have marched against the proposals. President Putin's poll ratings crashed an unprecedented thirteen percent - prompting him to address the nation.

VLADIMIR PUTIN PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA "It is indeed impossible to delay it even further. That would be irresponsible and can lead to grave consequences for the economy and social sphere, to most negatively affect the lives of millions of people because - and now it is already clear - the state will have to do it anyway sooner or later. But the later - the harsher those decisions would be."

Yet according to a national poll, 90 percent of Russians still oppose the reforms.

DENIS VOLKOV, RESEARCHER LEVADA CENTRE "Big dissatisfaction. Big criticism. People first of all think that it's unfair. So it's not the bureaucrats who will pay, it's not the oligarchs who will pay - just ordinary people."

But the protests did not stop the bill.

DAN ASHBY MOSCOW "It has been a bruising reform for the Kremlin, but it will now come into force. The Government says it is the only way to balance the books and ensure sustainable pensions. But Russians will want to see some of the economic benefits that have been promised to them."

And according to the research, their confidence is ebbing.

DENIS VOLKOV, RESEARCHER LEVADA CENTRE "What the Government need to deliver is economic growth in general. It's what people want, and the people are losing hope that the Government is able to deliver this."

Russian men will now retire at 65 - just a year earlier than their average life expectancy. But though they may be working longer, it is really the Government that now has its work cut out. Dan Ashby, CGTN, Moscow.