Moscow Mayor re-elected

Moscow's city Mayor for the past 15 years, 70-year-old Yurii Luzhkov, has been re-elected for another term.

During the inauguration ceremony Mr Luzhkov thanked the Russian President Vladimir Putin for supporting his candidacy and all those who voted for him.

Helping homeless children and encouraging intellectuals to come to Moscow are among the priorities for the next term according to the mayor.

Stressing the future, Yury Luzhkov also promised support to the 2014 Olympic host city of Sochi saying Moscow will provide future Olympic champions.

When Luzhkov came to power in 1992 the whole country was in dire straits, he changed the city and his name became synonymous with Moscow.

Sprawling outwards Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the world. It has luxurious apartment buildings, shopping malls and restaurants. Moscow is a genuine 24/7 metropolis.

However, the Mayor's critics say despite the construction and business boom, buying their own home is still an unattainable dream for many.

Moscow has become a land of opportunity for ambitious, pushy, hardworking people from across the country as well as others. Working in the Russian capital is a source of income for many families of guest workers from CIS countries.

“It’s easy to settle in Moscow. Just buy a newspaper and see what work there is. But you have to be prepared to work twelve or fourteen hours a day. Not many people can take it. Moscow is a city that’s working round the clock,” comments Edurad Bagirov, writer famous for the “Gastarbeiter” novel.

Muscovites say their Mayor has been good and bad. Many complain that the capital has lost its historic charm. They hope the Mayor's head will turn towards the people, not just business.

“As Moscow's Mayor, I am committed to abide by the Constitution of Russia, the Federal laws, the laws of Moscow, and to honorably fulfill the mayor's responsibilities, doing my best for the city and its residents,” said Luzhkov during his speech at the inauguration.