Before the voting, Putin adressed the lawmakers in a speech, describing the agenda of his future tenure as PM and setting his Cabinet's goals. The government's priority tasks, according to Putin, are "creating conditions for the best human development" and "developing infrastructure and improving the work of state and social structures".
In terms of quality of life, Russia must become one the world's leading nations, Putin stated, adding that he believed it was feasible "within 10-15 years". To achieve this, the authorities will need to improve the wealth and social security of the people, education, and healthcare, increase the average life span of Russians. Putin promised his Cabinet would come up with an action plan to fight poverty, and that the official minimal wage would be increased.
The former President also said the state's spending on healthcare and education would increase drastically. By 2010, the government is planning to spend almost 2 trillion rubles ($ 38,7 bn.) on each of these spheres.
Mentioning the housing problem, Putin suggested creating a federal housing development fund that would manage all the unused or improperly used state land.
Speaking on economy, Putin said that what Russia needed the most was 'macroeconomic stability', and to achieve it, the Cabinet would take all the necessary measures, and most importantly - decreasing the inflation. In order to tame the growing prices on food stuffs, the government will support development of Russia's agricultural sector.
Business in general can count on the state's support, too, Putin said. To help it, Russia must minimize the tax burden on people and businesses spending on health care, education, and mortgage interest rate payments, the leader believes. Another important step is to create equal taxation conditions for all companies, which can, as Putin is convinced, boost the healthy competition in the country.
The new PM also promised to get Russians rid of the need to fill the many "useless forms and papers" when they report their taxes.
Evgeniya Novikova, Yekaterina Shokhina
Photo: AP
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