Putin's address is "manifesto of authoritarianism" - opposition activist
MOSCOW. Dec 12 (Interfax) - Vladimir Ryzhkov, co-chairman of the opposition party RPR-PARNAS, believes Vladimir Putin's address to the Federal Assembly is in line with the interests of the current situation in Russia, not the country's development.
"It's his first 'strategic' address since his return to the Kremlin. He has repeated all unfulfilled promises he has made in the course of his 13 years in power. He added 'spirituality and collegiality' and 'Sovietism' (construction brigades, etc.). It's social populism," Ryzhkov said on his account on a social networking site on Wednesday.
Ryzhkov said he did not see any intention to conduct political reforms and fight corruption in Putin's words. "State regulation is increasing. There are no political reforms. He wants to try eliminating corruption, not eliminate it, just suspend its rapid growth," Ryzhkov said.
"It's a status quo manifesto. A manifesto of authoritarianism. A manifesto of non-development," the politician said.
