Protests by Russian pensioners appear to be paying off as they continue to stage demonstrations against social security reforms

Protests by Russian pensioners appear to be paying off as they continue to stage demonstrations against social security reforms. The Russian government is now acknowledging it made mistakes. President Vladimir Putin made concessions on Monday. And now the Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin - speaking in the Duma, the lower house of parliament - admitted the reform had not been handled well. He said details had not been thought through properly and said he was prepared to take responsibility for any errors. Demonstrators in Moscow were among about 40 million people affected by the reforms which give the retired, the disabled, war veterans, and others cash payments for public transport and free medicine instead of benefits. The benefits date back to the Soviet era. Authorities in many regions, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, have already restored free transport for the retired or offered subsidised travel passes. Politicians from the Communist Party and the nationalist Homeland faction have called for the law to be suspended. Russian parliamentarians in the Kremlin-controlled Duma have blocked the demands.