The lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, elected in December is due to hold its first session today.

The new parliament is expected to elect a speaker from six candidates nominated by the different factions represented in it.

Correspondents say the strong performance of the Kremlin-backed Unity movement at the national elections last month have raised hopes that the parliament will approve controversial reforms, including land privatization and a revision of the Russian tax code.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service