Press Release, 31.03.2020

Chairman of Yabloko Nikolai Rybakov sent the authorities a programme of socio-economic and political measures developed by the party to overcome the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The document was sent to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, members of both houses of parliament, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, as well as to the relevant ministries – the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Healthcare.

The programme consists of four blocks: support for the healthcare system, support for citizens, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and political measures, such as abolishment of the vote on constitutional amendments and postponing the spring army conscription at least to the summer.

Sources of funding the implementation of the programme, which the party recognises as “expensive”, should come from the National Welfare Fund, gold and foreign exchange reserves, as well as cutting of spending on defence, law enforcement agencies, and a bloated state apparatus.

“Our measures are aimed at protecting people and the country’s economy,” says Nikolai Rybakov.  “The state has been saving money for many years and distributing it between the corporations close to power. Now it is time to help people and give them means of living.”

The key points of the programme are published below. Read the full text of the Programme in Russian here.

Support for Healthcare

Increase of healthcare expenditure by at least 1 trillion roubles for the current year, in particular for the purchase of at least 30,000 artificial lung ventilation devices, purchase of tests for COVID-19 for 50 million people, and construction of new medical facilities.

Additional monthly payments of 100,000 roubles to doctors involved in the fight against coronavirus, and 50,000 roubles to nursing staff.

Massive testing for COVID-19 of all those interested in undergoing testing and those suspected of infection. Tracking the contacts of all infected people and placing them in long-term home quarantine.

Hospitalisation of only seriously ill patients. Cconversion of the bed fund under COVID-19 patients. Training of doctors for work with artificial lung ventilation devices and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Support for Citizens

Maintaining a job for an employee when he/she is sent on vacation without maintenance, paying him/her a state subsidy of 80% of the average salary in the region.

Covering for the population of up to 30% of household expenses on housing and communal services and 25% of payments on consumer loans and mortgages.

Allocation of at least 20 billion roubles to support those renting housing (the allowance should cover at least 30% of the market value of the rent).

Transfer to pensioners of a lump sum amounting to a monthly pension, and transfer to recipients of social benefits of a subsidy in the amount of the allowance.

Allocation to families with minor children, whose income per family member is less than twice the subsistence minimum of a child, of a subsidy in the amount of the subsistence minimum for each child.

Support for Businesses

Declaration of tax holidays for small and medium-scale enterprises for all taxes, including the VAT, until the end of 2020, as well as also for insurance premiums for small and micro enterprises.

Giving out of unlimited amounts as interest-free loans to entrepreneurs for 12 months.

Allocation of up to 1 million roubles to each small business.

Cancellation of 95% of all tax and non-tax payments in 2020 for the hotel, tourism and leisure industries.

Deferral of tax payments for self-employed until January 2022.

Compensation of at least 50% of the lost revenue to museums, theaters, cinemas, bookstores, etc. for the payment of salaries and remunerations.

Political measures

Final rejection of the “popular vote” on the unlawful amendments to the Constitution.

Cancellation of the spring subscription to the army postponing it at least to the summer.

Preparation to seasonal forest fires and other natural disasters that can lead to additional casualties under the quarantine conditions.

Abolishing further participation in the military operations abroad, in particular in Syria and Libya.

Allowing migrants to turn to Russian medical facilities without presenting registration documents, release them from punishment for violation of the migration regime.