The move will allow President Vladimir Putin to make Sobyanin the acting head of the city. Sobyanin will then be able to run in the mayoral election, which now appears likely to take place on Sept. 8, 2013.
Calling an early election would give Sobyanin a significant advantage over his rivals, including Civic Platform party leader Mikhail Prokhorov, as it would give them only two months to prepare their campaigns.
The next election for the city mayor post will be in 2015.