Yuri M. Luzhkov has been a dominant figure in Russian politics, and the Mayor of Moscow for the last two decades. Luzhkov was dismissed by the Russian President, Dimtri Medvedev on Tuesday after the two came to loggerheads.
Luzhkov came to office in Moscow in the early 1990’s and is credited with returning Moscow to a place of international power and wealth, and a symbol or Russian strength. At 74, his dismissal comes at a time when Medvedev is attempting to clear out a generation of Russian leaders clinging to old traditions in Russia.
Allegations of corruption were never far away from Luzhkov, whose wife became one of the richest women in the world during his time in office. In the months leading up to his dismissal, Luzhkov seemed to be openly challenging Medvedev and many accuse him of trying to create a rift between Medvedev and former President, current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Luzhkov even went so far as to make subtle appeals to Putin to return to his presidency, which set the tensions between him and Medvedev at even higher levels.
The hostility between the two became so apparent in recent days that many observed that if Medvedev left Luzhkov in power, it would undercut his influence as President. Presidential authority is given for firing public figures and Medvedev used that authority to dismiss the long-standing mayor while on a visit to China. Deputy Mayor Vladimir Resin was appointed as acting Mayor until proper procedure sees a new Mayor for Moscow reinstated.
