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Zubkov Worked Out the Program for Putin
Led by Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, the cabinet passed the action program for ministers in 2008. The better part of it is expected to be executed by Vladimir Putin, who agreed to succeed Zubkov in the PM office. Under Zubkov’s program, the future prime minister will have to drive down poverty by nearly 2 percent, hike the rates of state monopolies, step up investments by 14 percent and increase the number of bills elaborated by the government from 49 in 2007 to 54 in 2008.
The recent sitting of cabinet has passed in substance the package of program documents for the ministers. Today’s PM Viktor Zubkov chaired the meeting. “Our thoughts are about new 2008 year,” Zubkov was evidently concerned about the cabinet’s future.
But when it comes to the future for ministers, it became clear in early December, when four parties put forward First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev the presidential candidate, President Vladimir Putin said Medvedev was his favorite nominee, Medvedev offered the PM office to Putin and Putin finally accepted the offer. In new capacity, Putin may hold the government’s meeting already on May 15, 2008.
As to the future program, Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina said the government had elaborated it in view of adjusted outlook of her ministry. It means the GDP is estimated to step up at least 6.7 percent in 2008, industry will accelerate 5.7 percent, investments will gain no less than 14 percent and the real income of the nation (less inflation) will grow 9.4 percent.
The share of the population with the income below the minimum wage would narrow from 14.4 percent in 2007 to 12.7 percent in 2008, and the unemployment would go down from 6.3 percent to 5.6 percent, the minister emphasized.
And last but not least, first time after German Gref’s resignation, Nabiulina announced that the ministry “doesn’t view it expedient to hike the severance tax for gas.” Gazprom may relax as well, the documents that were considered yesterday don't mention any discussion of 2008 investment program of this monopoly by the government.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 21, 2007
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