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Russia 2018: Kremlin Countdown

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A tip sheet on Russia's March 18 presidential election delivering RFE/RL and Current Time TV news, videos, and analysis along with links to what our Russia team is watching. Compiled by RFE/RL correspondents and editors.

Says new government will have to create a comprehensive program aimed at improving living standards for the elderly.

Says it is the government's "moral obligation" to support the elderly, guarantee regular payments of pensions and regular increases in line with inflation.

Says spending on families will increase by 40 percent by 2024 to 3.4 trillion rubles.

Putin mentions government policies aimed at encouraging families to have more children. State support for nursery schools, kindergartens, and clinics. Support for mothers who want to return to work after having children.

Putin praises his policies on the family and says birthrates have risen, mortality has fallen. But Russia is now feeling the effects of the demographic crisis of the 1990s.

In 2000, he says 42 million people lived below the poverty line. Now that figure is 20 million, which Putin says is "unacceptably high."

“For the 18th time Putin tells Putin that it is necessary to fight corruption, boost the economy and stop oppressing business. Putin is listening attentively to what Putin is saying.”

He says falling behind is the main threat, main enemy Russia faces now -- not outside threat of invasion.

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