Russia. Putin softens pensions reform after his popularity ratings slip
The Russian president toned down the controversial proposals in a special address to the nation on Wednesday. He said women would be able to retire and claim their pensions at 60 instead of 63, as originally proposed – still a leap from the current age of 55.
He also outlined several other concessions on the reform, although the changes to the retirement age for men, which will go from 60 to 65 in the new proposals, were unaltered.
In a rare u-turn, Mr Putin told the nation: “For many years I was cautious and even suspicious about any proposals to change the pension system. Sometimes I reacted harshly to them.
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