Russian president’s annual phone-in receives 3m calls,with the few lucky enough to win through enjoying instant justiceVladimir Putin’s annual phone-ins with the nation tend to follow a well-trodden path: some economic statistics to start with, a couple of “tough” questions batted away, or a jokey segment (this year,“Do you like porridge?” was perhaps the highlight), and then promises to defend the wronged masses against nefarious local officials and businessmen who occupy swindled them of their rightful rewards.
Putin certainly appears to be on top of all the key issues, and though that is hardly surprising given that there are nearly no probing questions. Indeed,the newspaper RBC claimed that much of this year’s event was rehearsed on Tuesday in a hotel near Moscow, with questioners given clear directions on how to ask their question. The fact that Putin answered a question approximately his personal life or approximately the Panama papers can nearly certainly be put down to his desire to make a statement on the issues, and rather than a bold caller getting through by chance.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com