Putin acknowledged concern about poverty in Russia, which affects 13 million people

The Russian president, in power for more than 20 years, admitted this Thursday that poverty affects 13 million people in Russia and that low incomes are one of the country’s biggest problems.

In his annual address to both houses of parliament in Moscow, Vladimir Putin said poverty affects 9% of the population, especially large families.

According to Putin, who will stand for a fifth term in presidential elections in March and whose victory is virtually guaranteed given the lack of opponents, 30 percent of large families suffer from poverty.

Putin has said that fighting poverty in Russia, a country of more than 140 million people, is one of his priorities.

“We need to constantly work to improve the quality of life of families with children and support fertility. To do this, we will launch a new national project, which will be called “Family,” he said.

The head of the Kremlin (president) proposed to legislators to extend the mortgage support program for large families until 2030.

“Currently, upon the birth of a third child, the state reimburses the family for part of the mortgage loan – 450 thousand rubles. [4.500 euros, ao câmbio atual]. “I also propose to extend this rule until 2030,” he said.

Putin announced that 50 billion rubles (507 million euros) will be allocated to support mortgages this year.

“There is money for this,” he assured, as quoted by the Spanish agency EFE.

The Russian leader said that by 2030 the country’s minimum wage is expected to double, reaching the equivalent of around 360 euros.

Putin once again praised the “traditional values” of the family, officially defended by the Kremlin, saying Russia is one of its strongholds.

“Large families should become the norm,” he said at a time when Russia faces serious demographic problems, exacerbated by the attack on Ukraine and the exodus of hundreds of thousands of people abroad.

The Russian president and re-election candidate has promised that more than one billion rubles (about 10 billion euros) will be allocated to the country’s healthcare system over the next six years.

Russian media reported that Putin’s speech was broadcast not only on television, but also for free in cinemas in 20 Russian cities.

Thursday’s speech came ahead of a planned funeral in Moscow for Putin’s main opponent, anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, who died in prison on February 16 under unclear circumstances.

Vladimir Putin, who had never publicly mentioned Navalny’s name, has yet to comment on the 47-year-old activist’s death, which has shocked Western countries.