The Labour leader on Glasgow Council is facing a challenge for his job after his party lost another election to the SNP.
George Redmond will force a contest against Malcolm Cunning to lead the Labour group in the city.
He said a top priority if he wins will be addressing the “heartbreaking” state of the city centre.
Labour pushed the SNP close at May’s election, coming second and one seat behind Susan Aitken’ s party.
Cunning said during the election that he would not serve a full term as leader and would stand down after three or four years.
However, Calton councillor Redmond wants to bring forward Cunning’s exit by taking over immediately.
Redmond served as a councillor for 18 years and was the executive member for jobs, business and investment when Labour last ran the city.
He stood down in 2017, but was elected again in May and has lodged his leadership papers.
Speaking to the Record, Redmond said: “I’ve got widespread experience in the portfolios I have held. I had the economic brief, the Glasgow Life brief and I was the co-author of the Glasgow health strategy. I have also run a successful financial organisation.”
“Glasgow is not in a good place. People want the city cleaned up. One of the first things I would do is call a meeting of the business community about the city centre.
“The state of the city centre is heartbreaking. Big stores have pulled out. We can’t pretend it is not happening.”
Cunning said: "I don't think this is time to change the leadership. We need to build on the success we had on Thursday."
It is understood a vote will take place next week.
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