Key economic themes of 2020
Ivan Tkachev on the economy which survived 2020 better than was expected in the spring
Welfare
Russia’s war on Covid-19 is stalling
Vladislav Inozemtsev on how Russian authorities are losing the battle against COVID-19
The struggle for citizens’ money
Vladislav Inozemtsev looks at new attempts by the state to squeeze Russian taxpayers
Why the government is not helping Russian small businesses survive Covid-19
Georgy Bovt on the reasons why the Russian leadership does not intend to save small and medium-sized enterprises
Russia’s fiscal wellbeing is suddenly melting away
Ivan Tkachev on how long Russia’s budget reserves will last in the current oil price environment
Where the state comes before the customer
Georgy Bovt argues that unless Russia changes its economic strategy and undertakes structural reforms, the country is doomed to stagnation and its population to gradual impoverishment
Russia Has a Consumer Debt Problem. And It is Getting Worse.
Georgy Bovt on how loans are replacing social policy in Russia
A Tax Paying Autocracy?
Jeremy Morris wonders whether Russia’s rising tax take is a sign of a state getting more effective, or if it is simply more of a federal fiscal cul de sac
People as the New Oil?
At a time of budget cuts in Russia, Jeremy Morris questions whether the government can extract much more tax revenue from its citizens without spurring resentment or resistance
Who Can Be Happy in Russia?
An ambitious round of social welfare spending and greater worker protections are the Kremlin’s only refuge from voter dismay