Moscow's mayor Sergei Sobyanin smiles during an interview with Reuters in Moscow June 14, 2011. REUTERS/Alexander Natruskin (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2NQ38
MOSCOW (Reuters) - One of President Vladimir Putin's closest allies said on Tuesday he would resign as Moscow mayor and stand in snap elections, seeking a new five-year term.
Opposition leaders, who hope to reinvigorate flagging street protest against Putin's 13-year rule with a rally next week, criticised the move, saying it was timed to rob them of the chance to campaign for a rival candidate.
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