Putin may give address on Constitution Day 2012

Vladimir Putin

Wikipedia-Russian Presi...

Russian President Vladimir Putin may give an address on Constitution Day, as reported by Russian newspaper Kommersant. 

According to political analysts, Putin's initiative is marked by a "certain symbolism", even though it is uncertain whether the president will choose to underline the implications of his speech.

On December 20 the Russian president is scheduled to hold a press conference at a location that is yet to be disclosed. The move comes after it was announced that Russia's New Year's Eve TV marathon with Putin, a tradition established in the past ten years, had been canceled. 

The broadcast was broadly seen as a "direct line" between the president and the public and offered viewers ample opportunity to voice their concerns and questions.

Putin's victory in the March 4 presidential elections, was contested by opposition forces and several international bodies, despite the introduction of webcams at most polling stations.

Combined with several natural disasters during the summer months, the claims have led to a steady decline in the Russian strongman's popularity during his third term as president.