YABLOKO took part in a rally against abolition of social benefits and reliefs
“Deputat 29”, Press Release, November 18, 2013
YABLOKO member Polina Shubina made a speech at the rally against abolition of social benefits and reliefs in Arkhangelsk on November 16. The residents of Arkhangelsk and opposition politicians protested against the proposal of the Arkhangelsk authorities to abolish social benefits and reliefs for preschool children and veterans of work.
“Benefits mustn’t be abolished. Not only because it’s nonmoral. We live in the North. It has always been a difficult territory which needs special attention and support. In the Soviet times the authorities understood that the people wouldn’t live in the North without support.
The severe climate, lack of good roads, distance from the centre of the country, bad reputation of the region (place of punishment and exile) are the face of the Arkhangelsk region. We have the negative demographical trend for years. The people leave the region,and the tendency will intensify if the social benefits are demolished. The benefits on the contrary should be raised. If the regions are weak, the country is weak. But we want to be proud of our country”, said head of the Arkhangelsk branch of YABLOKO.
Posted: November 18th, 2013 under Russian Economy.