"The information regarding Alexander Donskoi's intention to run for president is accurate. He will make an official statement Tuesday at a press conference in Moscow," the Arkhangelsk city hall press service said.
Donskoi, 36, was the CEO of a chain of food stores until March 2005, when he was elected mayor.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's supporters have proposed amending the Constitution to allow the president, whose mandate expires in 2008, to run for a third consecutive term. Some regional legislatures have approached the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, with similar proposals.
During his annual televised question-and-answer session October 25, the fifth since he took office in 2000, Putin reiterated that he has no plans to run for president, but said he hopes to preserve the trust of the Russian people and to influence the country's life after leaving his post, without elaborating further.
"I have already said that the Constitution does not give me the right to run for a third term, even though I like my job," he said.
