Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to take questions from across Russia in a nationwide multimedia broadcast, BBC News reports.

People can take part by telephone or e-mail, and residents in nine specially selected towns will put their questions direct to Putin via a TV link-up.

The phone-in, held four times before, is due to start at 08 GMT.

More than a million questions have so far been submitted to the organizers’ website, many about worries over wages, pensions and rising housing costs.

The event will be broadcast on national television networks and major radio stations.

Correspondents say if the session follows previous appearances, Putin is likely to face tailor-made, even fawning questions, with the occasional difficult topic being raised.

One of the towns chosen to take part directly is Kondopoga close to the border with Finland, where in August violent race riots erupted and businesses owned by migrants were attacked.

The BBC’s James Rodgers, who is in Kondopoga, says given the town’s recent anti-immigrant violence, the subject may well be raised by residents during the broadcast.

Popularity: 1% [?]