Izvestia: "Prime minister to talk to people"
On December 15 Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will hold his annual televised question and answer session with the people. The VGTRK press service reported that, like last year, Maria Sittel and Ernest Mackevicius will be the moderators. Putin's Press Secretary, Dmitry Peskov, told Izvestia there would be no taboo subjects during the Q&A session. He added the prime minister could even express his opinion about the rally on Bolotnaya Square.
There will be five live broadcasts from Russian regions. This is fewer than last year when the public could call from seven regions, mostly those Putin visited during 2010. This time VGTRK teams went to four cities – Vladivostok, Ufa, Nizhny Tagil and Sochi. One live broadcast is planned from a confectionery in Moscow.
Peskov told Izvestia that the conversation will be absolutely open and that there will be no taboo subjects. He did not rule out that Putin could offer his opinion about the several thousand strong rally on Bolotnaya Square for the first time, sum up the results of the Duma elections or even discuss his forthcoming presidential campaign.
"There have been no changes in the format. We will discuss any subject without exception. There are never any restrictions on questions during these Q&A sessions," Peskov told Izvestia.
Usually, Putin's TV session lasts for several hours. Last time it went on for a record four hours and 26 minutes. Social issues are traditionally the most popular. People tell Putin about their problems with utility payments, housing, medical services and education. They address Putin with personal requests and complaints. Some stories have happy endings while others are not so lucky.
Probably, the most famous case is the story of Dasha Varfolomeyeva whom Putin presented with a Cinderella-style dress. Three years ago she managed to get through to the prime minister from Tugnui, a remote village in Buryatia, and complained to him about a lack of money. She also asked Putin to give her a gala dress for a New Year party. As a bonus, Dasha was invited to attend a New Year children's party at the Kremlin in Moscow. The people of her village were not forgotten either. A new school, library and gym were built in the village. Last summer Putin met with Dasha during his trip to Buryatia.
The story was not so positive for cardiologist Ivan Khrenov from the Ivanovo Region, who also became famous after his call to Putin during the live session. He told the prime minister about the "window dressing" at his hospital during Putin's visit – new equipment had been brought in for one day and doctors were forced to lie about their salaries. After this scandal Khrenov was harassed and threatened with dismissal. He was even summoned to the prosecutor's office and the hospital's managers sued him for libel. However, in the end Khrenov kept his job and joined the United Russia party.
Anastasia Novikova
