The list of candidates for the vacant post of Moscow mayor is too long and should be reduced to three-four people, the Russian State Duma speaker said on Friday, RIA Novosti reported.
"We need to narrow the list down to an acceptable number for submission, which is usually three-four candidates," said Boris Gryzlov, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Council of the ruling United Russia party.
According to Russian law, the leading party of a region must submit to the president a list of candidates for the post of regional leader within 14 days after the previous head has been dismissed.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev fired long-time mayor Yury Luzhkov on September 28, citing loss of confidence.
"We discussed the candidacies today with the party's leader, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin," Gryzlov said, adding that consultations on the list of candidates would continue next week.
Although Gryzlov did not name any of the candidates under discussion, likely front runners include Deputy Prime Ministers Sergei Sobyanin and Alexander Khloponin, Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and other top officials.