Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, will address both houses of parliament on Thursday with a speech that will cap a political season when he has made increasingly radical departures from the ideas articulated by Vladimir Putin, his authoritarian predecessor.

The speech is expected to contain pledges to make modest reforms to the electoral system and push towards greater political openness. Mr Medvedev will also outline plans to convert state corporations – such` as conglomerate Rostekhnologiya – into joint stock companies.