The YABLOKO faction supported the initiative of the centrist factions of the Duma to adjourn examination of the package of draft laws on energy sector reforms from December 18, 2002, to a later period.

The leader of the party and its parliamentary faction Grigory Yavlinsky is convinced that this proposal of the centrist factions, supported by the Duma Council on December 17, 2002, was agreed with the presidential team. "The decision to considerably review the energy package may become a very serious political decision by Vladimir Putin targeted against the criminal-oligarchic economic system," said Yavlinsky.

According to Yavlinsky, the variant of the reform prepared by the RAO UES of Russia (RAO Unified Energy Systems of Russia) and supported by the Government has serious drawbacks that could create a "political and economically dangerous situation in the country".

The leader of YABLOKO also said that if the variant adopted by the State Duma in the first reading was implemented, this would lead to unrestricted growth in prices and tariffs, first of all in the housing and communal sector.

According to Yavlinsky, deputies [of the Duma] will now be able to amend the considerable shortcomings in the present energy package. "It is clearly impossible to amend considerable shortcomings of the energy package in a week: a serious revision of the package of draft laws can only be made next year," added Yavlinsky.

Grigory Yavlinsky also thinks that a coordinated and considerably improved variant of reforms can be developed in spring, or even in the summer. Grigory Yavlinsky also noted that YABLOKO had prepared their own proposals on the reform of the sector.

See also:

Energy Sector Reforms