ocr: Russial has a democratically ele cted parliament under the leadership of an executive president. Main Political Issues Living standards Russ sians are disillusioned at the failure ofl politicians to improve their living standard ds." The securities that usedto underpin life - long-term employment, guarantee d housing and a basic diet - have been swept away. The decline has hit certain vulnerable groups particularly the old- rather than the population as a whole. Howe rever, there are signs that conditions mayl be improving. Retail sales in Russia rose consistently in the 181 months to mid-1994 ...
