MOSCOW, June 10 (Itar-Tass) - Sergei Sobyanin said his decision to tender his resignation earlier in order to participate in the mayoral elections was not sudden, but it was taken to receive political support for his programmes.
For the first time in ten years, Muscovites will elect their mayor, he noted. He said it was important for him personally, as a great number of programmes, controversial sometimes, were launched in the city. These are serious programmes of the global level -- metro construction and reconstruction of roads and public space. And all the programmes should be politically supported by the opinion of residents. It is practically impossible to solve it without elections, Sobyanin said in a televised interview on Channel One on Sunday.
To become a Moscow mayor, one should go a long way -- from head of a small district to head of a metropolis. It is impossible to prepare for the post in a month, three months, half a year or a year. One needs to prepare for the post all life. It is necessary to go some way as an executive, to be head of some district or a city and then to contend for the post, Sobyanin noted.
In his words, if a person has not ever done anything at all, has not headed and has not managed anything, but intends to be a candidate for the post, "it is disrespect for the city and for Muscovites.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 5 accepted Sobyanin's early resignation and appointed him acting mayor until the mayoral elections planned for September 8. Sobyanin declared he would participate in the election race.