Russian Jotman reader Sanjuro writes:
Triggered by the news of proposed higher import tariffs for used foreign-made cars, drivers in Vladivostok, Nakhodka and other Far Eastern cities (followed by other regional centers in Siberia and European part of Russia), convened in large numbers and demanded to drop the proposed tariffs and carried crude slogans suggesting the Russian political elites to use Russian cars instead of their Mercedes-Benzes.This is the one of the rare instances that I recall (except perhaps the equally potentially dangerous social outrage in 2005-2006 over the failed social security reform) where the people's anger is aimed directly at ex-President Putin. Even as PM he is largely perceived as the sole center of responsibility and, in addition, as PM he is technically responsible forenacting of the proposed tariffs. Crude remarks and outright hostility towards Mr Putin from the Far Eastern drivers and car merchants come at stark constrast with the recently staged TV talk show. According to the Kommersant, the regional parliament of the Primorsky Kray (one of the main constituencies of the Russian Far East, with its capital in Vladivostok) appealed to the federal government with a request to withdraw the proposal citing "growing social tensions". The Kommersant reports that Nov 22 protests gathered about 200 drivers on their cars and Dec 14, the number grew to nearly 2000 (http://kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1094866 ). New.Drom.Ru claims about a 1000 drivers in Novosibirsk (http://news.drom.ru/11803.html ). The Car Owners Federation website started collecting votes against the proposed new tariffs - 18,200 votes so far (http://www.autofed.ru/actions/14.12.08.html ).
The used car import and transit industry is the sole major job provider in the Russian Far East. In the Primorsky Kray alone approximately 100,000 people (local parliament's figure) are engaged in importing used Japanese cars and delivering them to buyers across Siberia, reaching the Urals and beyond. Russian Car Drivers Movement claims that 60% of the Primorsky Kray are engaged in this industry, but this is likely an exaggeration. In any case almost anyone living and working in Siberia and the Russian Far East would be affected by the new tariffs.Among drivers in Siberia and the Russian Far East, there is certain affection towards these old Japanese vehicles, deep respect towards the Japan carmaking industry. There's also some sense of camaderie amongst the drivers and people in the tough car transit industry that potentially makes them a formidable political force. These people are not necessarily aggressive, but their business remembers violent times. I have visited Vladivostok in 1998 and 2004, and from I recall, I could also tell there's deeply embedded separatism in the Far East. Usually latent, it becomes apparent in incidents such as this. Vladivostok has been one of the rare politically active cities in Russia with quite turbulent history of new governance.Both Kommersant and Gazeta.Ru report that unlike in case with the annual march of the dissidents, authorities are apparently taking these protests very seriously. So far the official reaction has been vague, mixed and reserved.There some pictures on local Vladivostok websites:http://news.drom.ru/11803.html(This one has videos)
