The meeting was held in preparation for the Government’s annual report to the State Duma.
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks
Remarks by Sergei Mironov, head of the A Just Russia faction
Excerpts from the transcript:
Mikhail Mishustin's meeting with A Just Russia Party deputies in State Duma
Mikhail Mishustin's meeting with A Just Russia Party deputies in State Duma
Sergei Mironov, Head of the A Just Russia faction
Mikhail Mishustin's meeting with A Just Russia Party deputies in State Duma
Mikhail Mishustin: Mr Mironov, colleagues,
As per tradition, we continue our meetings and discussions with parliamentary factions ahead of the Government’s report to the State Duma.
We have already spoken with our colleagues from United Russia and the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with you the most pressing matters that concern our citizens.
The President has noted the dedication with which your representatives consistently uphold the fundamental values of social justice.
The faction’s initiatives and proposals are developed, among other things, through personal meetings and deputies receiving voters in the regions.
This approach makes it possible to steadily improve the quality of legislative decisions, and also to monitor their implementation and the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight over law enforcement. I would also like to thank you and all your colleagues for your effective cooperation with ministries and agencies in this area. I know that you keep many issues under constant control.
Deputies from A Just Russia have always maintained patriotic stance. This is particularly important when it comes to initiatives aimed at protecting the rights of participants in the special military operation and their families.
This was clearly demonstrated when the decision was adopted to support the children of military personnel who took part in combat operations in Russia. These children now have the opportunity to enroll in higher education under a special quota.
In many cases, your representatives acted as co-sponsors, working jointly with their colleagues from other factions and with senators.
This approach expanded access for special military operation veterans to assistance from socially oriented non-profit organisations. They employ experienced professionals capable of helping people in difficult life situations, including supporting wounded servicemen in their recovery, assisting with professional retraining, and providing aid to the families of fallen soldiers.
Naturally, the Government also responded positively to the law on loan repayment holidays. They are now available not only to special military operation participants, but also to their family members, as well as to small businesses whose managers were mobilised. The pause in repayment is in effect until the end of 2026.
With your support, additional opportunities have been created for other small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as for the self-employed. They can now receive repayment holidays of up to six months once every five years. Importantly, no special documents or certificates are required: it is enough to submit an application. This mechanism is an effective tool for preserving businesses.
The faction pays close attention not only to practical support for entrepreneurs, but also to the protection of citizens’ financial rights. Together with our colleagues, we drafted a law prohibiting advertising of bankruptcy services without disclosure of consequences. Such advertising must now include a clear warning about potential negative effects, helping to protect people from rash decisions.
We have also adopted a basic law regulating installment payment services, safeguarding the interests of citizens no less than those of consumer loan borrowers. Among other provisions, it establishes that the price of a product purchased on an installment plan cannot exceed the price of full payment, and it limits penalties for missed payments. There are other innovations designed to help citizens use these mechanisms more effectively.
The faction’s initiatives in the housing and utilities sector also merit serious attention from citizens, experts, and the expert community.
At our previous meeting, Mr Mironov, you raised the issue of tariff regulation in this sphere.
The State Duma is currently preparing the second reading of a government bill that expands the powers of the Federal Antimonopoly Service to oversee pricing in the electricity sector. It is important that this bill be thoroughly substantiated. I would like to thank your faction for supporting such a complex and multifaceted proposal.
We look forward to continuing constructive cooperation, including during the consideration of the second package of draft laws aimed at combating digital fraud. We discussed around 20 proposals in total, which are intended to enhance public safety, particularly for elder citizens.
Colleagues, I would like to emphasise that the Government is ready to engage with you across all areas, including on specific regulatory provisions that may be incorporated into legislation.
Please, Mr Mironov, you have the floor.
Sergei Mironov, Head of the A Just Russia faction
Mr Mishustin, esteemed members of the Government,
First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to exchange views and present our proposals ahead of the Government’s report to the State Duma.
I will begin with the most urgent issue: pension policy.
During the recent Direct Line, this emerged as the topic of greatest concern for citizens. In 2024, people were primarily worried about healthcare, housing, and utilities, with pensions ranking fourth. This year, however, matters related to pension provision are at the forefront of public attention.
I would like to take this opportunity to share several ideas and proposals that our faction has consistently put forward.
As you know, we opposed the law raising the retirement age, and we continue to stand by that position. We also believe that, sooner or later, this issue will need to be revisited.
There is a challenge that is likely to become increasingly urgent in the coming years. A large number of people who worked “under the table” in the 1990s and early 2000s will begin retiring. They were not officially registered and, as a result, will have no pension points, no formal work record, and no official employment history. We are talking about millions of people. It is essential to anticipate this issue now and determine in advance how it can be addressed.
Regarding pensions themselves, the average pension in 2025 was 23,530 roubles. For many pensioners, however, this amount is barely sufficient to cover basic needs such as food, medicine, and utilities. We should recognise the discipline of our pensioners – they duly pay their utility bills.
Currently, annual pension indexation based on the previous year does not adequately address these issues. Our proposal is to consider moving to quarterly indexation, which would likely be a more just approach.
I would also like to address the matter of working pensioners. We are grateful for the reinstatement of pension indexation for those who continue to work. As of October 1, 2025, there are 40.6 million pensioners in the country, of whom 7.4 million remain employed. This is a valuable resource for our economy, consisting of highly skilled personnel. God willing, they continue to contribute. However, from our perspective, it is not enough to stop here. Many of these individuals’ pensions have not been indexed for the past eight years. Currently, if a pensioner retires, their pension is adjusted at the moment they stop working. I believe it would be fair to apply indexation retrospectively for all working pensioners, covering the eight-year period during which their pensions went unadjusted.
I would also like to address the issue of pension levels themselves. Let me recall that in 2018, we ratified the International Labour Organisation Convention, which stipulates that pensions should amount to at least 40 percent of wages. At present, however, the actual figure is only 23 percent. Naturally, this underscores the need to pay close attention to measures to support our pensioners.
More to be posted soon…
