Russians stage rallies to protest over new plans to raise state pension age

RUSSIANS HAVE held rallies throughout the country to protest against a government plan to raise the age for receiving state pensions.

Several thousand people gathered in central Moscow for a protest organised by the Communist Party. Another Moscow protest organised by the A Just Russia party attracted about 1,500 people.

Other demonstrations were reported in at least a dozen cities throughout the country, including Vladivostok in the far east, Simferopol in Russia-annexed Crimea and Omsk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk in Siberia.

No arrests were immediately reported.

The rallies had official sanction.

The plan was introduced in June and has passed first reading in the lower house of parliament.

But widespread opposition has persisted and President Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings have fallen notably since the plan was announced.

In an unusual televised address to the nation, Mr Putin last week conceded that the pension age for women will be raised only to 60 rather than the proposed 63.

The current pension age for women is 55. The plan would retain the raising of the men’s pension age from 60 to 65. The plan has attracted opposition from a wide range of age groups and political beliefs.

Alexei Navalny, the anti-corruption activist and Putin foe, has called for his supporters to rally nationwide next Sunday.