Putin’s Last State of the Nation Address Scheduled for Next Week
Created: 20.04.2007 12:18 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 12:38 MSK
MosNews
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who steps down next year after eight years in power, will make his last annual state of the nation address next week, the Reuters news agency reports quoting Kremlin official statement.
It said Putin will address both houses of parliament and other top officials on April 25 but gave no further details.
Normally, Putin’s addresses set the national agenda for a year ahead. Sources close to the Kremlin have dismissed media suggestions that the president could choose to turn the event into a farewell speech focusing on his past achievements.
Putin, highly popular at home, has said he will not seek a third term. But the president, whose support is crucial for any candidate in elections due in March 2008, has said he wanted a successor to continue his course.
Some analysts suggest that Putin, who has launched ambitious projects to translate a windfall of oil revenues into a better living for Russians and who urges his government to diversify economy, could concentrate on domestic issues in his speech.
Others say he could chose to focus on the international role of a resurgent Russia, which claims a stronger role in the world encouraged by years of strong economic growth.
Putin’s Last State of the Nation Address Scheduled for Next Week
