Karel Svoboda
@karelsvoboda.bsky.social
New to Bluesky, still exploring. Russian economy enthusiast with an interest in stock investing. Last but not least, assistant professor at the Institute of International Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague.
Sorry, it is different Karel Svoboda🙂
October 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Sorry, it is different Karel Svoboda🙂
And unpleasant situation in railway transport:
June 5, 2025 at 5:08 AM
And unpleasant situation in railway transport:
On the other hand, I have to keep repeating that there are extremely smart people working at the CBR and the Ministry of Finance who are capable of keeping this ship afloat. So I'm curious to see what they do.
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
On the other hand, I have to keep repeating that there are extremely smart people working at the CBR and the Ministry of Finance who are capable of keeping this ship afloat. So I'm curious to see what they do.
Otherwise, there is another solution favored by some analysts, namely freezing deposits. But I'm just adding that to complete the picture; it wouldn't be very popular. And now I'm just waiting to see what happens next.
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Otherwise, there is another solution favored by some analysts, namely freezing deposits. But I'm just adding that to complete the picture; it wouldn't be very popular. And now I'm just waiting to see what happens next.
Pensioners, police officers (yes, even them), doctors, basically civil servants... just the usual groups that will be squeezed a little more (pensions are only increasing by the official inflation rate, not the “pensioner” inflation rate, let alone the 1/3 increase in the average wage).
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Pensioners, police officers (yes, even them), doctors, basically civil servants... just the usual groups that will be squeezed a little more (pensions are only increasing by the official inflation rate, not the “pensioner” inflation rate, let alone the 1/3 increase in the average wage).
So probably cuts plus some new taxes (they raised income tax – progressive, profit tax from 20 to 25 percent, raised fines, etc.). So far, the biggest cuts have been in terms of nominal amounts, but real cuts may also come.
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
So probably cuts plus some new taxes (they raised income tax – progressive, profit tax from 20 to 25 percent, raised fines, etc.). So far, the biggest cuts have been in terms of nominal amounts, but real cuts may also come.
But even a strong ruble does not help much, because there is a lack of money in the budget, which has to be found somehow. The National Wealth Fund is roughly equal to the planned deficit, which may grow (and will grow).
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
But even a strong ruble does not help much, because there is a lack of money in the budget, which has to be found somehow. The National Wealth Fund is roughly equal to the planned deficit, which may grow (and will grow).
of 145 or 155 percent). The “everything is fine” rhetoric that the CBR has been using to cool perceptions isn't really working. Even a weakening of the ruble (although imports are quite limited) is unlikely to be popular with the CBR, as it leads to inflation.
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
of 145 or 155 percent). The “everything is fine” rhetoric that the CBR has been using to cool perceptions isn't really working. Even a weakening of the ruble (although imports are quite limited) is unlikely to be popular with the CBR, as it leads to inflation.
the new hit, now from Azerbaijan, with Luky sending a maximum of 100 kg to Dagestan). The recent frosts do not promise a bumper crop either. So there's a problem for the rate cuts (i.e., whether the CBR lowers the rate from 21 to 19 percent is practically irrelevant, much like Trump's tariffs
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
the new hit, now from Azerbaijan, with Luky sending a maximum of 100 kg to Dagestan). The recent frosts do not promise a bumper crop either. So there's a problem for the rate cuts (i.e., whether the CBR lowers the rate from 21 to 19 percent is practically irrelevant, much like Trump's tariffs
magic with statistics (See the last week of last year with its zero inflation (probably for the first time in history). Expectations are unpleasant - people expect prices to rise, so they spend. And you don't want that when there are limited supplies of goods on the market (potatoes are
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
magic with statistics (See the last week of last year with its zero inflation (probably for the first time in history). Expectations are unpleasant - people expect prices to rise, so they spend. And you don't want that when there are limited supplies of goods on the market (potatoes are
(both figures are higher than last year at this time). The reason is probably a decline in some food prices (eggs, butter). And we tend to notice those prices a little more. That's also why perceived inflation is always higher than the official rate (and I'll skip over the Russian authorities'
May 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
(both figures are higher than last year at this time). The reason is probably a decline in some food prices (eggs, butter). And we tend to notice those prices a little more. That's also why perceived inflation is always higher than the official rate (and I'll skip over the Russian authorities'