Regnum.ru
November 29, 2007
"Mysterious Putin's address to nation" turns out to be a common ad
http://www.regnum.ru/english/923478.html
Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation today as a candidate to the Russian State Duma running for United Russia Party. In an ad broadcasted by Russia's First Channel in a news edition, Putin addressed the Russians calling to vote for United Russia. After the ad, campaign advertisement of the Russian Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) and Vladimir Zhirinovsky's speech were shown.
Putin's speech had been broadcasted in Ostankino broadcasting center. Russian media had given various suppositions regarding possible content of Putin's "mysterious" address to the nation, including the third term (under the Russian constitution, an individual cannot be elected for three consequent terms), Putin joining United Russia (the president is non-partisan, while he is topping the party ticket), and president's resignation. Besides, the time of the broadcasting has never been mentioned. In the long run, it turned out to be a common election campaign ad.