Housing and Utilities Reform

Production sharing agreements (PSAs)

The Russian debt

Treaty on the Economic Union

Expert Council on Economic Reform established by the New Economic Association begins work. Grigory Yavlinsky elected chair of the Expert Council

By Yuri Shein, special for the web-site, December 16, 2010

The New Economic Association (NEA) joining together the cream of the Russian economic science formed Expert Council for Economic Reform (EC). NEA Executive Board elected Professor of the Higher School of Economics Dr. Grigory Yavlinsky Chair of the Expert Council. The first meeting of the NEA Expert Council which took place in Moscow on December 14 discussed the guidelines and the rules of procedure of the Council. By this day 59 renowned researchers, academics and practitioners – key specialists on socio-economic institutions – had given their consent to join NEA headed by Yavlinsky...

Brief Outline of Sergei Mitrokhin’s Report at the State Council meeting

January 22, 2010

The key problem of Russia’s political system is monopolism which manifests itself in three major ways:

1) bodies of power and parliaments of all levels demonstrate monopoly of one party representing the interests of bureaucracy and large-scale business merged with it;
2) complete dominance of the executive over the judicial authority;
3) dictate of one social class – the bureaucracy – over all other social groups.
Thus, the present political system generally reproduces the Soviet system, with its key flaw – the monopoly of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union on power.
Such monopoly led to the insensibility of the political system of the USSR to the challenges of the time. Attempts to reform the system were considerably belated and that, consequently, led to a collapse of the USSR.

Assessment of Russia’s Present Political System and the Principles of Its Development. Brief note for the State Council meeting (January 22, 2010) by Dr.Grigory Yavlinsky, member of YABLOKO’s Political Committee. January 22, 2010

...In the absence of serious attention to the raise of political culture and freedom of speech, elections in our country will become a fest of demagogues and populists killing the system.

The main problems and goals of the society and the state in the field of creation of modern political system and political reform do not represent a mere correction, they mean bringing of life and sense into Russian politics.

Only in this case it will be of interest for the people and will be worthy of their attention. To achieve this we should first of all raise the level of public consciousness and open opportunities for public participation in the power and politics.

We think that to prevent dissolution of the Russian political system in 2010 – 2012 we need to undertake the following gradual but nonetheless decisive steps...

YABLOKO Presents Its Anti-Crisis Plan

Boosting of domestic demand, fight against corruption and protection of human rights should become top priorities for Russia’s domestic policies. Such goals are envisaged by YABLOKO’s Anti-Crisis Plan for Russia.

Press Release June 30, 2009

Vladimir Putin discussed with deputies of the Yabloko faction Russia’s economic development strategy. The next meeting is scheduled for the beginning of February 2001

On December 25, 2000 a meeting was held between the President of the RF Vladimir Putin and the Chairman of the Yabloko Association and the head of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma, Grigory Yavlinsky.

Press release, 26.12.2000

Mikhail Zadornov forecasts continued economic growth in Russia in 2001

Press release, 06.10.2000

Yabloko insists that the increase in excises on oil products should not be as significant as planned by the government

Press release, 05.07.2000

Yabloko will vote for the value-added tax provided amendments of the Budget Committee are taken into account.

The Yabloko faction will support in the second reading the draft of Part 2 of the Tax Code on VAT, provided that the amendments approved by the Budget Committee are considered.

Press release, 23.06.2000

The Yabloko faction will support the proposals of the government on income tax, though it considers that Yabloko's proposals would be more efficient

Press release, 07.06.2000

Yabloko: the Government has virtually repudiated its declaration about the need to reduce the tax burden

The latest proposals of the Government contradict significantly the positive changes in work on the Tax Code. A tax revolution on personal incomes almost materialised, but failed owing to the Government's indecisiveness.

Press release, 06.06.2000

Sergei Ivanenko expects serious battles in the Duma during discussion of the tax initiatives of the Government

Deputy Chairman of the Yabloko faction Sergei Ivanenko forecasts that voting on the tax initiatives of the Government to be considered by the Duma on the second reading on June 7 will be political by nature.

Press release, 06.06.2000

The Yabloko and SPS factions to support in the second reading the adoption of a 13% flat rate of income tax

On June 7 the voting of the Yabloko and Union of Right-Wing Forces (SPS) factions will be consolidated for the adoption by the State Duma in the second reading of a 13% flat rate of income tax.

Press release, 06.06.2000

Yabloko draws attention to the illegitimate nature of transactions with the foreign debt of the USSR

On April 26 the State Duma rejected the resolution prepared by the Yabloko faction on the negotiations of the RF Government with the London Club on restructuring and eliminating part of the Soviet debt; 120 deputies voted "for", 121 deputy "against" and 2 abstained.

Press release, 26.04.2000

Grigory Yavlinsky and Stanley Fischer discuss economic situation in Russia

Joint economic programmes of Russia and the IMF are out of the question, until a new Cabinet is formed.

Press release, 06.04.2000

Yavlinsky names the main impediments to normal development of Russia's economy

The leader of the Yabloko movement, Grigory Yavlinsky, listed the five main negative features that, in his opinion, characterise the state of Russia's economy at present.

Press release, 28.03.2000

Yabloko thinks that the Soviet debt restructuring terms are unfavourable for Russia.

Yabloko thinks that the Soviet debt restructuring terms are unfavourable for Russia. This is how the Deputy Chairman of the Yabloko faction commented on the agreement with the London Club of creditors secured by the First Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on February 13, 2000.

Press release, 15.02.2000

A Credit for Half a Century

Interview with Grigory Yavlinsky by Natalia Bekhtereva, Radio Russia, June 15, 2009
On the threashold of a state holiday – the Day of Russia – President Medvedev met with representatives of non-parliamentary political parties – The Right Course, Patriots of Russia and YABLOKO. All these parties naturally have their own views of how Russia should develop further. The United Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO certainly has its own point of view here, YABLOKO’s founder professor Grigory Yavlinsky is our guest today.

Why Is Our Country Poor?
By Boris Gordon, Novaya Gazeta, June 3, 2004
Strictly speaking, Russia's recent history has seen two prescriptions for fighting poverty. The first involves raising taxes and thus raising payments to all welfare recipients: veterans, the disabled, and so on.

The opinions of Presidential Advisor Andrei Illarionov and YABLOKO's leader Grigory Yavlinsky clashed at the meeting of the Open Forum club.
Anchor: Mikhail Antonov, RTR television channel, Vesti programme, September 30, 2003
Yavlinsky, YABLOKO leader: Now we are seeing powerful and considerable inflows of hard currency into the country in the raw material sector. But there has been no impetus from the raw material sector to other economic sectors.

Russia's Biggest Problem is the State
By Anna Skornyakova, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, October 2, 2003
As long as law enforcement agencies are virtually uncontrolled and can blackmail businessmen and participate in the redistribution of property, any qualitative improvement in the situation is out of question, something noted by virtually all the politicians and political scientists at the meeting of the Open Forum Club devoted to the prospects of Russia's economy and the problems of relations between the authorities and business.

Strong Ruble amid High Inflation
Interview with Mikhail Zadornov by Sergei Guk, Moskovskiye Novosti, June 11-17, 2003
First of all you must adopt a monetary policy to limit the money supply. Second, consumer price growth is also attributable to the continuing increases in the tariffs of natural monopolies and the housing and public services. Here we have been struggling within a vicious circle for several years. Only determined action will bring down inflation.

The Country at a Crossroads. Grigory Yavlinsky's Lecture to the Nobel Institute “On the Future of Russia and Its Economy”

Vladimir Putin’s meeting with representatives of Yabloko lasted three and a half hours

Grigory Yavlinsky in the “Here and Now” programme

Standard & Poor's Crediweek

Window of Opportunity

The Grand Bargain for Democracy in the Soviet Union.

Book by Grigory Yavlinsky and Graham Allison

Incentives and Institutions

The Transition to a Market Economy in Russia

Economics and Politics in Russia.
Diagnosis (Spring of 1992)

Nizhni Novgorod Prologue. Economics and Politics in Russia