After initially refusing to give up his spot on a byelection ballot, Ezra Levant has agreed to let newly elected Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper run in the Calgary riding instead.

A spokeswoman for Harper, Carolyn Stewart Olsen, confirmed the move Thursday night. Harper was on a plane and could not be reached for comment.

Levant, however, issued a statement complaining that his initial reluctance to step aside had been misunderstood.

Ezra Levant
Ezra Levant

"My decision has been misinterpreted as putting my own interests over that of the party," Levant wrote. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

Harper is now expected to run in Calgary Southwest on May 13. The seat had been held by party founder Preston Manning, who announced plans to resign last year. If he wins, he will become Canada's official Opposition leader in the House of Commons.

Levant has begun campaigning in the constituency for months, spending money on signs and brochures. Harper, himself, officially endorsed Levant's nomination earlier this year – even though Levant was an outspoken supporter of ousted leader Stockwell Day.

But after defeating Day and being crowned Alliance leader on the first ballot of a leadership vote last week, Harper had hinted he might want to run in Calgary Southwest.

On Wednesday Levant told reporters that he intended to keep his name on the ballot. At roughly the same time, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's government announced the dates for seven byelections, including the one in Calgary.

Harper, who appeared to be blindsided by both developments, expressed disappointment in Levant's decision, and annoyance over Chrétien's timing.

By Thursday morning, Alliance MPs had begun telephoning and e-mailing Levant's office, insisting he step aside for the good of the party. One MP went further, issuing a written request to have thousands of Alliance members from across the country lobby Levant to make room for Harper.