MOSCOW , October 12 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov rejected on Monday speculation that he would soon step down, citing United Russia's strong results in citywide elections.
Luzhkov has been the Russian capital's mayor since 1992 and began his fifth term in 2007. As one of the country's most powerful politicians, he is frequently the subject of rumors that the federal government will move him on, perhaps to serve as a senator in the Federation Council.
"I don't think the state authorities entertain such thoughts, and if they did, I would respond, as at the meeting in Odessa: One friend asked another, "How are you?", and he replied: "Don't hold your breath!'" the mayor said.
Regional leaders are appointed by the president and approved by the local legislature. Luzhkov has in the past called for a return to direct elections, which would remove some of the Kremlin's power over the mayor, who a decade ago was talked of as a presidential candidate.
"Everyone has their time, but it has not come yet. When the time comes, I will say so without any reminders from those who want...Moscow to become weaker," the mayor said at a news conference on the results of Sunday's Moscow City Duma elections.
With 99% of ballots counted, the ruling United Russia party had two thirds of the vote, with the Communists second on 13% and all the other parties failing to pass the 7% threshold for seats in the assembly.
Luzhkov said that as he was one of the leaders of United Russia, the results showed that he should stay.
"If in the last election the party won about 48% in the Moscow City Duma, now it is more than 60%. Give up all this talk, I have no intention of leaving," Luzhkov said.
