Putin’s Platform: Increased Life Expectancy, Per Capita Income Grown and Increased Infrastructure
Still, regarding the annual statement of the Russian President, we'd also like to point out some features that aren't connected to rockets. Before the rockets, Putin used the huge brand-new digital screen to display his other goals: the increased life expectancy in Russia that reached the level of France and Japan, the 1.5 increase in per capita GDP, or the increased road construction funding.
Where did he get the money? We'll ask this question today. We'll also highlight an episode that might seem abstract but not to our program. Let's hear it.
President Putin: "In order to advance and to develop dynamically, we must extend the room for freedom in all spheres. We must reinforce democracy institutions, local governments, the structure of civic society and courts. We must be open to the world, new ideas, and initiatives. We must deal with essential pending issues that might seem hard to resolve. We must get rid of everything that impedes our development, and doesn't let our people reach their full potential. We must consolidate all our resources and powers. We must show our will, and work hard and boldly to achieve our goals. If we fail, neither we, nor our kids, nor our country will see the future".
Let's agree that the term "room for freedom" hadn't been used by Putin before. On the sidelines, we asked the guests to comment on that phrase. Let's begin with those far from politics.
- Come here. Come in. I'll ask you the same question. What did the President mean by "expanding the room for freedom"?
Vladimir Mashkov, actor: We should begin with ourselves. We must expand our own freedom. Mr. Putin let us understand that we need a to make a resolute step forward. A resolute one. The technical figures we've seen have really convinced me. I saw that I also must personally make a resolute step.
Vladimir Mashkov is an artist, so his speech is eloquent and figurative. And what about those who will have to carry out the promises? You saw it right. We managed to catch Mashkov, while we were filming the unimaginably young members of the State Council: the governors and presidential candidates who barely turned 30. During the last year, Vesti on Saturday had a series of special reports about them. Who were the ones approached by Mashkov?
Olekhanov, the new governor of Kaliningrad, was in one of our most memorable episodes of the last year. Together, we were picking amber at the Baltic Sea coast, dressed in special wetsuits under a sleety rain.
Our viewers are also familiar with governor Nikitin, who gave us a ride on his motorcycle showing how different the pavement of federal and local roads in Novgorod Region is. It's not about the presentation, even though some of the newly appointed governors are rather young, and were ready to perform some stunts for us.
But it's not about the presentation, it's about the substance, namely: it's a known fact that Putin personally writes his statements. But, that doesn't mean he only uses the data, supplied by his assistants. His promise about organizing new medical stations in villages came straight from his Green Folder of people's requests.
Another obvious fact for us: this time, both the presentation and the substance were influenced, either willingly or not, by the new young governors from the new digital generation, who have a much required fresh perspective. During this year, they even made us see things in a new light. For example…
Wood felling was shown to us by the new governor of Kirov Region, who then took us to the plywood factory. Later, as the former head of Rosreestr, he explained to us that one of the obvious ways of fighting illegal wood felling is digitalizing all the timberland data. Now, we meet him at the President's statement.
Igor Vasilyev, governor of Kirov Region: A year and a half ago, we were discussing the open digital technologies.
- Yes, we discussed the technologies in woodcutting in Kirov Region.
- The authorities attended the issue and that made me really happy.
One of the digital technologies was the large screen, where figures and charts were displayed during the President's speech.
Maxim Reshetnikov, governor of Perm Krai: "The presentation was intensive and fresh."
The new governor of Perm Reshetnikov showed us the road mending in Perm last spring. It appears, that changing the request period for funding also changes the time frame, so the mending doesn't end in winter. Here's what he discovered in the President's speech.
Maxim Reshetnikov: "It's important that the new aspects of urban redevelopment and spatial development have been mentioned. It's something we've reached".
Alexander Brechalov, head of Udmurt Republic: "The new life environment is not just a house and a wage, it's urban space, where people can spend their time. It's great to realize we're keeping up with the world in this sphere".
Putin set some attractive but ultra-ambitious goals. But where do we get the money for them?
The newly-elected governor of Yaroslavl Region Mironov took us to the ultra-modern pharmaceutical plant. But, he also inherited the problems of the local shareholders that seemed unsolvable.
Dmitry Mironov, governor of Yaroslavl Region: In 2017, we finished the construction of 16 buildings. The shareholders couldn't...
- So Putin's promises could be fulfilled? Many people think they are just some long-term plans. But, they could be fulfilled now.
- You see, we must control the process. And, as our President said, we shouldn't be afraid, we should move slowly, steadily, and professionally. Only then, the problems will get resolved.
From the former soldier Mironov, we turn to the civilian civilians: the heads of Buryatia and Ivanovo Region.
Stanislav Voskresensky, acting governor of Ivanovo Region: "As a resident of Ivanovo Region, I heard Putin mention the most important things. First, the new road construction, because we're so done with our bad roads".
When we were visiting the famous textile factories in Ivanovo Region, acting governor Voskresensky frequently mentioned railroads. The Ivanovo-Moscow route will finally reopen in the coming weeks.
His sidelines-neighbor Tsydenov, the governor of Buryatia, recalls Transsib, and ecology, the topic addressed by Putin.
Alexey Tsydenov, head of Buryat Republic: "We must preserve the Lakes Baikal and Teletskoye. We must preserve the ecology and our heritage, but also take care of the locals. It's our pressing issue which we're going to deal with".
Alexander Uss, acting governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai: President's recent visit resulted in an agreement between us and the federal government we're currently working on in order to revitalize our ecology in two-three years, and get specific and even revolutionary results."
- I hope so. It can be nasty in Krasnoyarsk.
- Even though the city is great.
To be fair, it was governor of Moscow Region Andrey Vorobyov who pointed out the condition of the local landfills. But, Putin addressed the issue after receiving it via his hotline.
Andrey Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow Region: We've received specific instructions regarding economic, ecological, urban, and healthcare aspects."
- He also mentioned the notorious landfills that were reported via his hotline.
- It's a big and serious issue that we were instructed to quickly deal with. We need a breakthrough.
This is simply obvious. New governors are establishing direct communication with their people.
Mikhail Vedernikov, acting governor of Pskov Region: We held the first Pskov Entrepreneur Forum in 15 years. We suggested making it annual, expanding it, and inviting guests from other regions. We held a meeting with the Elderly Council, which allowed us to directly receive information about what actually bothers our people.
- Direct democracy.
- A direct dialogue is important.
So, what the new social structure should be like? One can speak hours and even years about the special journey of the Russian democracy. But, we also have to resolve the issues that have been brewing for years. But, once again, where do we get the money? For the new governors, it's not a rhetorical question, but a practical one.
Anton Alikhanov, governor of Kaliningrad Region: We've doubled our urban program.
- So it's possible?
Andrey Nikitin, governor of Novgorod Region: During the first year, we saved 800 million on credit interest rates. We also fired some officials and managed the state procurement better. As our President has said, it was our first take one the issue. It's important to find our reserves and spend them on a noble cause.
Vesti on Saturday, Moscow.