Zyuganov Criticizes Russian Budget: War to Take Half of Revenue

Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), has publicly criticized the government's draft federal budget and the spending on the war. The KPRF faction is the second largest in Russia's parliament, so the remarks come from the upper level of national politics. Zyuganov believes the burden of covering the budget deficit will once again fall on citizens.

Half of revenue goes to war

Zyuganov claims that every second rouble is burned and wasted in the war. By his account, of the 43 trillion roubles in revenue, half will go to these purposes. He accused the Finance Ministry of proposing to raise extra funds from the population instead of developing production. He pointed to a downturn in industrial sectors and falling investment, and warned that such policy could return the country to the situation of the 1990s.

Utilities sector

Zyuganov objected particularly strongly to cuts in funding for housing and utilities. He said spending on the sector would fall by 40% over three years, even though utility networks are badly worn. According to him, of one million kilometres of pipelines, 600 thousand kilometres are rotten. If they are not replaced, the politician warned, everyone will freeze and die tomorrow.

Budget priorities

The draft budget shows which items are favoured. Defence is set to receive roughly a quarter more funding in 2027 than was planned a year earlier. At the same time, previously planned funding for the economy, education, healthcare and social policy has been reduced, while the cost of servicing public debt is rising. The authorities are trying to obtain additional revenue by raising taxes and excise duty receipts.