Moscow's Yury Luzhkov, sacked by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday, only had himself to blame for his dismissal, State Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov said on Tuesday.
Medvedev sacked Luzhkov after a two week media smear campaign accusing him of corruption, negligence, failing to solve the city's problems and using his power to help his billionaire wife.
First Deputy Moscow Mayor Vladimir Resin has been appointed acting mayor.
"We assume that the president had reasons for it [Luzhkov's dismissal], and unfortunately, Luzhkov as mayor gave a handle to the president for such a decision," Boris Gryzlov said.
"It was clear the situation had been one of conflict. But there could have been a solution if Luzhkov had resigned voluntarily, but he left no choice to the president," First Deputy State Duma Speaker and United Russia member Oleg Morozov said.
Morozov expressed doubts that Luzhkov would occupy a national level position again. "He is unlikely to wish it and he is unlikely be offered it," he said.
Another top politician, the leader of the Just Russia party, Nikolai Levichev, said Luzhkov had been persistent in his desire to continue running Moscow.
"Society could not bear such a moral challenge, and the president did not have any option but to sack Luzhkov," Levichev said.
MOSCOW, September 28 (RIA Novosti)
