Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday held his marathon news conference and call-in show, an annual event he has used to reinforce his authority and demonstrate sweeping control of the country’s political scene.
Putin began by boasting about Russia’s economic performance, saying that it’s on track to grow by nearly 4% this year. He acknowledged that consumer inflation is high at 9.3%, but noted Central Bank’s efforts to bring it down and insisted that the situation in the economy remains “stable”.
The tightly choreographed session, which is broadcast live by state-controlled TV stations across Russia’s 11 time zones, has been heavily dominated by domestic issues in the past years. Most journalists and ordinary people calling the studio ask about road repairs, utility prices, house maintenance, medical services, government subsidies for families and other economic and social issues.
Journalists from the country’s over 80 regions wave colourful signs and placards in the hall near the Kremlin as they try desperately to attract Putin’s attention.