Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s president, has taken the risky step of sacking Yuri Luzhkov, the Moscow mayor, one of the few remaining powerful politicians independent of the Kremlin.
Mr Luzhkov, who had held the position since 1992, withstood weeks of pressure to step down voluntarily. His removal on Tuesday took Kremlin watchers by surprise, as most had assumed the Kremlin would negotiate his departure. The mayor had become the target of attacks in state-controlled media after he criticised the president this month.
Analysts say the step is a risky one for Mr Medvedev as it could destabilise both Russia’s capital and the ruling United Russia party, with just a year to go before parliamentary elections in 2011. It could also bring him into conflict with Vladimir Putin, prime minister and former president, they say.