MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said the opposition was hoping for a “coup“, during a marathon press conference that marked his first major public appearance since announcing he would seek a new six-year term in March 2018 elections. Liberal opposition representative and possible presidential 'candidate against all', Ksenia Sobchak (centre) adjusts her make up prior to a press conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia. The press conference kicked off with a question from a Moscow radio station on why Putin was seeking re-election. “To improve quality of life for Russians,” said Putin, who has been in power since 1999. As in previous years, there was a carnival atmosphere in the press conference hall.

Source: New Strait Times December 14, 2017 14:48 UTC