Russia waits for Medvedev the normal

Dimitry Medvedev, the man Vladimir Putin has ensured will succeed him as Russian president, has revealed himself to be a 'normal guy' - if normal guys phone their mother every day. In an interview with the Russian news magazine Itogi - paid for by Medvedev's campaign - the current first deputy prime minister appeared to be trying to flesh out his public persona, until now seen by ordinary Russians as that of a faceless bureaucrat.

He recalled how he grew up in a 40 square metre apartment in Kupchino, a blue-collar suburb on the outskirts of St Petersburg. His father taught at a polytechnic institute and money was tight; Medvedev (pictured) could only dream of owning Pink Floyd's The Wall album, which cost 200 roubles on the black market.

At university he supplemented his student grant by working on a building site and as a street sweeper. In a nod to the babushka vote - a demographic that still demands respect in Russian society - Medvedev revealed he speaks to his mother over the phone at least once a day. Medvedev also shed light on his forebears, saying his ancestors included farm workers, a blacksmith and a hat maker: "Neither I nor my wife can claim to have blue blood."

However, there seems little prospect of an end to the recent diplomatic spat with Britain under Medvedev. He accused the British Council of spying on Russia and blamed periodic rows with Britain on London's historic desire to be "mistress of the seas".

The publicity drive, similar to one launched when Putin succeeded Boris Yeltsin as president in 2000, could be seen as surplus to requirements. A recent opinion poll suggests Medvedev is likely to cruise to victory in March 2 presidential elections with 69.9 per cent of the vote.