The amendments have been passed in order to ensure macroeconomic stability and the budget system’s sustainability, and guarantee the fulfilment of social commitments and other obligations, including those stipulated in the Russian Government’s 2009 Anti-Crisis Programme.
The amendments aim to increase social protection for the population, maintain and develop industrial and technological potential, boost the role of domestic demand in promoting economic growth, modernise Russia’s economy and society, reduce administrative pressure on business, bolster the national financial system’s stability, and ensure the necessary level of macroeconomic stability.
In particular, the amendments propose increasing overall federal budget expenditure in 2009 by 667.5 billion roubles (more than $20 billion), chiefly by drawing on the Reserve Fund.