The left wants more attention

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Wednesday, as part of preparations for the government’s report in the Duma, met with representatives of the Communist Party and A Just Russia – For Truth factions. If the Prime Minister’s communication with United Russia and the Liberal Democrats two days earlier passed in the style of mutual compliments, then the representatives of the left spectrum of the parliamentary opposition, although they showed their piety to the head of government, tried to slightly aggravate the dialogue by reminding them of their long-standing initiatives, which still remain without movement. Mr. Mishustin, in response, recalled the “unprecedented sanctions pressure”, under which, in his opinion, a lot is being done.

Representatives of United Russia and the Liberal Democratic Party on March 13 basically exchanged gratitude for constructive cooperation with the prime minister and listed joint achievements. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation and A Just Russia – For Truth (SRZP) also tried to show an opposition character.

The Communists were the first to enter the White House on March 15. Mikhail Mishustin in his opening speech praised the Communist Party faction for its patriotic position, assistance to the residents of Donbass and active participation in the development of initiatives for the integration of new territories. The prime minister noted the areas in which the government and the faction have developed “productive interaction”, in particular, issues of agriculture.

“In general, the deputies of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation always support initiatives that contribute to ensuring the country’s food security,” Mr. Mishustin thanked the communists.

He also mentioned with a kind word the recently adopted bill of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation deputies on the provision of benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises that deal in children’s books.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, in response, praised the practice of holding working meetings with deputies on the eve of the government’s report and expressed hope for a “constructive conversation.” Immediately after that, he tried to aggravate the discussion, lamenting that at such a dramatic moment for the country in the work of individual ministries “the old course is slipping”, which “should be changed as much as possible.” “We have proven that it is impossible to solve problems if the average growth rate is still within 1%. For 30 years, our average rates have been exactly 30%. In Europe, in the West, by about 2-3 times, the Chinese economy has grown 14 times,” Mr. Zyuganov said. In 30 years, energy production increased by 3.7%, while in the US it grew by 44%, in Germany by 36%, and in China by 11 times, the communist leader said. He is also concerned about the high mortality rate and the 12% decline in citizens’ incomes over the past nine years.

Gennady Zyuganov reminded the prime minister that the CPRF faction had handed over to the government its development budget and 12 bills, which had traditionally been ignored.

Separately, he expressed regret that the party’s bill on regulating prices for essential goods and medicines was not adopted. The communist referred to the president, who in a personal conversation supported the food security program and three programs – “Sustainable Development of the Village”, “New Virgin Land” and “Development of Agricultural Engineering”, and also said that he would instruct the government to work out these ideas. “In general, we can move decisively forward, but a new course, a new development budget, a new financial policy are required. No financiers can determine industrial policy – it should be determined by the government, legislators, people from production, ”concluded the leader of the Communist Party.

Mikhail Mishustin agreed that “economic growth is the basis of our development,” but recalled the “unprecedented sanctions” imposed against Russia after the start of a special military operation. He noted that the Commission on Economic Sustainability developed 315 measures for an approximate amount of 8 trillion rubles, which were able to “hold the situation.” “As for inflation. In peaks, I’m not talking anymore, it was under 20%, annual – 11.9%, if we take 2022. And today it is already less than 4%, which is agreed with the Bank of Russia and the government,” Mr. Mishustin boasted. Continues, according to him, and the growth of investment. At the same time, the prime minister noted that the government is ready “to accept constructive criticism and think together about where to direct the main efforts, including public finances.”

The dialogue with the faction “A Just Russia – For Truth” (SZRP) was built according to a similar scenario. The prime minister also thanked her for “constructive interaction”, especially with the Ministry of Construction, noting her balanced and responsible approach to the adoption of laws, and promised to support the initiative of the Social Revolutionaries, which “will allow us to simplify and systematize support measures for young scientists.” However, the leader of the SRZP, Sergei Mironov, replied that the faction was waiting for a decision from the government on the preparation of a strategic plan for socio-economic development and was ready to participate in its development. Then he recalled a topic that the Social Revolutionaries regularly raise – the indexation of pensions for working pensioners.

Mr. Mironov is glad that the state is moving away from the Bologna system in education, but at the same time demanded that the “very harmful” Unified State Examination (USE) be canceled.

He also proposed paying families with eight or more children a monthly sum of two minimum wages, emphasizing that “the price of the issue will be 2.1 billion rubles.” Finally, the Socialist-Revolutionary leader proposed to change the unified federal rate of citizens’ own expenses for housing and communal services from 22% to 15%.

Mikhail Mishustin, reacting to the words of Sergei Mironov about strategic planning, noted that “today we have a unified plan for achieving national goals,” while there is “constant interdepartmental work, including with amendments, if goals change, especially under sanctions pressure. He also recalled that “a lot has been done on social benefits, on all other things,” again, despite the “continuous sanctions pressure.” As for the abolition of the exam, then you need to weigh all the pros and cons, Mr. Mishustin noted.

After an exchange of opening speeches, representatives of both factions asked the prime minister questions in a closed format. The last to meet with the head of government are representatives of the Duma faction of the New People.

Ksenia Veretennikova