Where’s Putin? Russian President Stays Out of Sight as Crown Hits Economics

March is usually provides an important month for Alexandra Gerasimova business fits most, the fitness subscription classes throughout Russia. People want to shape after the long winter over, and the income from this month cover the loss of income support during the spring the quiet season and summer. But it slowed in mid-March, after weeks of activity, the company closed all the way, like millions of Russians have been limited to their homes in a block against the coronavirus. With sales already down 90%, says Gerisamova to survive is their only goal. To avoid cutting one of his 30 employees, reducing salaries across the board. Unlike European countries and the United States, Russia offered only limited support for closer business was forced. Garisamova, whose company is one of many not apply to State aid, has no idea how it will continue. “If nothing changes in three months, I do not know how to start the business back,” he says. Crown slid slowly toward Russia and its impact is still far behind many countries in Europe, not to mention the United States The first transmitted infections at the local level – has not brought in cases Russians return from abroad – confirmed on March 15. Since then, the numbers are spiraling upwards 68.622 cases and 615 deaths from April 24 to reach most of them are concentrated in Moscow – the main economic center of the country and transport – but across Russia 84 other regions are . the mayor of Moscow said on April 10 that the city was far from reached its peak, and it was only in the “hills.” But the economic consequences are already well advanced. Small and medium-sized enterprises in Russia have asked for help and they warned of massive failures in the government petitions, including the one launched on 24 March to life with more than 300,000 signatures. Anger over the loss of jobs and the lack of clear information saw 2,000 people in the southern city of Vladikavkaz protest on April 20, resulting riot police violently dispersed the crowd, and dozens of people, according to local media detention. But the leader of Russia is evidently entered the background, worsened during the crisis. President Vladimir Putin has only four public addresses over the crown before retiring outside the capital to his country house, the mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin and Prime Minister Mishustin left – to take the initiative – a little-known figure before his surprise nomination in January. Putin was not prepared when the epidemic hit, says Nikolai Petrov, a senior researcher at the London think tank Chatham House. “That’s why he barely visible now,” he says. Putin “to name Sobyanin left and Mishustin hits hard so that if and when the epidemic is worst, they can take the flack,” said Ben Noble, a Russian political lecturer at University College London. “It ‘a family move Putin playbook we’ve seen before. He does not want to be in the lead when he thinks he can start again.” So far Sobyanin curb the face of government efforts, the disease from spreading. In Moscow it has introduced a controversial blocking measures and introduce draconian restrictions on how residents far outside can walk their dogs to go. Mishustin was responsible for them for the rest of the country for the application. But their efforts have come too late, after Anastasia Vasilieva, the head of the Russian Alliance of doctors. The virus spreads beyond the official figures say. In January 2020, the pneumonia has increased in Moscow 37% compared to an increase Vasilieva believed to have been caused by the crown. “The situation is bad and is hidden,” said Vasilieva, an ally of opposition leader and fierce Putin critic Alexei Navalny. “Twin hospital are full of patients with pneumonia who are not tested for the virus.” On April 2 Vasilieva was arrested by the police to provide protection during a hospital outside Moscow, the accused of violating the rules of self-isolation. “They’re trying to scare me, said it was a bad thing for everyone when I criticize the Russian situation,” he says. But the state of the Russian situation is becoming more and more clear to see. The collapse in oil prices and natural gas threatens living standards, such as the energy sector for two-thirds of the country’s exports. Experts predict now the worst recession in a generation, an increase in the unemployment rate to 15%, which could leave eight million people without a job. The looming economic collapse spells bad news for Russia’s leaders. “His approval ratings have economic fortunes of Russia were largely related,” says Noble, notes that his numbers fell significantly in 2018 after moving the retirement age. The approval ratings of the Russian president were noted by 69% in February to 63% in March, attached close to where they were before Russia the Crimea in 2014, an event that his popularity at 85% posted rises steeply, according to independent vote Levada center office. The government has not entirely ignored the economic situation. Putin has introduced a stimulus package for the 15 companies in April, including interest-free loans and payments of 12,130 rubles ($160) per employee in April and May. But it is not enough to save a lot about the economy, according to Alexei Kudrin, head of the Russian Audit. Kudrin said RBC news site of Russia on April 8 that the government has a package that amounts to 7% of GDP to save the economy – four times the current package – which is almost as much as the cash reserves Russians would $165 billion dollars. “The Kremlin is reluctant to spend more. For hanging the general policy on the money does,” says Tatiana Stanovaya, founder and CEO of analysis firm R.Politik policy. Many companies are not in control. Gerasimova of society, fit most is precluded by the fact that you can get an IT company that does not fall under 12 categories of businesses that help. “We are one of the many companies that have only this,” he says. And most of those who have refused to apply. At least 900 companies had applied for a total of $81 million (6 billion rubles) in such loans, but only 1.2% of that amount starting on Friday, Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina said the President was granted during a press conference on April 10. The government “thinks ignore” small and medium-sized enterprises – are the estimated 42% of the economy – because they do not consider it a “political force”, says Stanovaya. “But most people with decent wages for middle class supported Putin because they want stability. They are the social base of the Putin regime in any way. After this block, the Kremlin could face a lot of problems,” he adds. Now, the dire economic situation Putin is likely to stay Since the January plan in place over the end of its current mandate in 2024, parliament was working on a package of changes that would allow, among other Putin changes for another two terms for ‘ running for president. He signed on the changes on March 14, but a public national vote, which should take place on April 22 postponed. “It ‘hard to see how Putin easily the result of the vote may stay low on constitutional reform with the price of oil it needs further if the current economic climate,” says Noble. Putin’s lackluster response so far “has put his political capital to zero,” said Petrov, the Chatham House think tank. “No more, you can count on – to see what for many Russians, as – services such as the annexation of the Crimea. It must show that it is now actually in force.
Image copyright images from Alexey Druzhinin / AFP -Getty, but it is completely out of touch. “