Billionaire businessman Mikhail Prokhorov will probably run for Moscow mayor in 2015, Kommersant Daily reports.

      Sources close to the tycoon told the press that Prokhorov plans to officially announce his bid at a news conference next week. Prokhorov itself has not comment on that information yet.

      In March's presidential elections Mikhail Prokhorov took the third place in Russia and the second place in Moscow, gaining about 25 percent of the vote. It was the best result for Prokhorov among all Russian regions.

      The decision has become a result of a new federal law which provides for direct elections of mayor in Moscow and other Russian cities. According to the recent amendments, suggested by current Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, independent candidates will also be allowed to run in the elections.

      However, some opposition leaders said there are some important obstacles for independent candidates, such as the law will oblige them to have the support of at least six percent of municipal lawmakers.

      "There are not enough opposition lawmakers to allow all independent candidates to register," Liberal Yabloko party leader Sergei Mitrokhin said.

      Moscow mayor elections will take place not earlier than in 2015. It will be the first elections for Moscow posts since 2003. 

Sources: Kommersant.ru metronews.ru RIA Novosti Image: actualcomment.ru