Russia isn't in danger of a revolution from demonstrations against alleged fraud in parliamentary elections last month and the government is "on the right track" in responding to them, Sberbank chief executive German Gref said.
"This is no Arab Spring," Gref, a former economy minister, said late last week. "We can't even think about it."
Demands from opposition politicians and former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin for new elections aren't "rational," Gref said.
Unlike Europe, Russia hasn't reached the limit of its consumption and can help stoke demand as developed economies struggle. Even as the euro region grapples with a sovereign debt crisis, there's "nothing dangerous" for the ruble, Gref said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
