Putin’s approval rating slumps as he urges Russians to accept older retirement age
Vladimir Putin has softened controversial pensions reforms after a public outcry that has seen his approval rating tumble.
The Russian President had proposed to raise the retirement age of men from 60 to 65 and from 55 to 63 for women.
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Addressing his nation earlier today he said the retirement age would instead rise to 60 for women but that the five-year increase for men would remain.
The reforms, which Putin said were needed to protect state finances and national security, were announced on 14 June – the day the World Cup began in Russia. The announcement led to protests across the country.
Putin's approval rating has fallen to 67 per cent – from a high of 80 per cent earlier this year – according to the Levada Centre, Russia's only major independent pollster.
In a TV address to the nation, Putin, said: “The demographic development and labour market trends and an objective analysis of the situation show that we can't put this off any longer.
“But our decisions must be fair, balanced and absolutely take into account people's interests.”
Opinion polls show that around 90 per cent of the Russian population opposed the original proposals.
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