Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will hold on Thursday a nationally broadcasted question-and-answer session, a move which could be interpreted as a sign he plans to return to the presidential seat.

People all over Russia were able to put questions to the ex- president and majority of them focus on economic and social issues, local officials said.

While Putin was president, the broadcast became an annual tradition. He held six of these sessions. During his last televised session as president in October, he answered 72 questions in more than three hours.

Putin left the office after two consecutive presidential terms in May. Analysts say that Thursday's session means Putin plans to return as a president, since it is he - and not president Dmitry Medvedev - who will answer the questions this year.

The session, which starts at 12 pm (0900 GMT), should last at least two hours, officials said. (dpa)