Low-cost election is good for taxpayer
Published: 28 May, 2008, 15:10
Russia spends far less on elections than the U.S.
TAGS: Election
Russia’s Central Election Commission has published the accounts for March’s presidential vote. A total of $US 217 million of state funds were allocated to stage the ballot. That’s considerably less than the estimated $US 5 billion spent on the last Americ
Dmitry Medvedev won by a landslide, but spent only $US 1.55 million on advertising and promotion. Given that 52.53 million people voted for him, each vote cost just three cents.
Of the four candidates, Liberal Democrat leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky spent the most. His expenses amounted to $US 6.6 million.
In total, $US 17 million was spent on promotion.
The candidates didn't spend all the money availablej, and $US 8 million is expected to be returned to the state budget.
25.05.2008, 14:34
Interview with Aleksey KuzminNone of the CIS countries will join the EU in the foreseeable future. However, some have a chance to become NATO members, believes Aleksey Kuzmin, political analyst from Moscow's National Prospects Foundation. |
28.05.2008, 16:06
Interview with Mark RaykhlinTop envoys from Russia, the U.S. and other nations are meeting in Greenland to discuss how to carve up the potentially profitable polar region. Mark Raykhlin, founder of the Russian Organisation for Saving the Antarctic, told RT about environmental concer |
