Russia’s Siluanov Freed by Ruble Slump to Slim Welfare State

For a government rattled by the ruble’s 46 percent nosedive last year, there may be a silver lining, according to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.

“Dutch disease is over,” Siluanov said in an interview, referring to the fallout from a commodity boom that pushes up exchange rates and stalls competitiveness. The currency collapse is freeing the government to slim down a welfare state more generous than its Soviet predecessor, he said.