Description
In this collection of interviews we normally focus on news and analysis from leaders and activists from social movements and progressive groups from southern countries. We deem it important to share how progressive movements and organisations are collectively addressing the pandemic and publicise the initiatives that are forming in their countries and regions, which pertains to the collective building and shaping of demands to authorities. More importantly, we want to share the changes they want to see for a more socially just future.
In this interview our focus is on Russia. It is not a southern country, in fact it is a global political and economic big power. It is also one of the top countries in terms of rates of Covid-19 infection and death toll, with a big number from those in the health workers sector.
Like in many other countries, the lockdown was recently eased despite the fact that the virus is still spreading across Russia’s vastness and far from over. Moscow has cancelled its high-profile Asia-focused Economic Forum in the Far East and the celebration for Victory Day to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe was limited. In contrast, it has opted to go ahead, as planned, with holding a constitutional referendum on July 1. The public will vote on the constitutional changes that could allow president Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036. I talked to Ilya Budraitskis, a political analyst, researcher and sociologist in the Moscow School for Social and Economic Sciences.
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