| Dmitry Ayatskov decided to prove his loyalty to the president with deeds Saratov Governor Dmitry Ayatskov is making desperate efforts to remain in his post. Yesterday he explained to Saratov journalists the resignation of the regional government and did not rule out the possibility that he would run for governor for a third term.
The Saratov governor's troubles began this spring, when the regional prosecutor's office tried to open a criminal case against him related to customs payments for Case combines. In August 1998, the regional government purchased them for the State Unitary Enterprise "Regional Food Corporation". But this structure was unable to pay customs duties in the amount of $7.3 million on time. By the end of 2001, when the debt to the State Customs Committee, including penalties, reached $8 million, the Saratov government transferred 70 million rubles to customs. budget money without the consent of the Regional Duma, which is a violation of the law.
Mr. Ayatskov appeared as a witness in the investigation materials, but on May 17, 2004, the regional prosecutor's office unexpectedly charged him with abuse of power. However, already on May 20, the Prosecutor General’s Office canceled the decision to initiate a case against Ayatskov and took these materials for verification, the deadline for which is constantly being postponed. They say that Mr. Ayatskov managed to go to Moscow in time and assure the Kremlin of the sincerity of his loyal feelings. Now he is no longer very much afraid of the results of the audit, but his chances of retaining the governor’s seat are still very vague.
On August 23, the Saratov governor dismissed the regional government without explanation. True, there was a lot of talk in the city that Mr. Ayatskov was very dissatisfied with the work of the economic and organizational blocks of the government. In addition, he decided to implement administrative reform on a regional scale and significantly reduce officials. The governor’s press service did not hide the fact that the government’s resignation was carried out as part of the implementation of administrative reform and became “the embodiment of the message of the Russian President to the Federal Assembly.”
The administrative staff of the regional government will be reduced by 250 people. The number of deputy chairmen will be reduced from eight to four. The number of government members will be reduced from 25 to 19, and the number of executive authorities will be reduced from 18 to 13.
Yesterday, Mr. Ayatskov finally explained the reasons for his decisive actions. At a press conference, he said that he did not exclude the possibility of his participation in the next elections for the head of the region, scheduled for March 2005. “If I see real returns from the new cabinet of ministers of the region, if there is real support from public organizations and I feel that I have enough strength and energy to carry this cart for the next five years, then I will make the final decision to run for another gubernatorial term,” said Saratov governor.
Despite all Mr. Ayatskov’s statements that the steps he has taken have nothing to do with his future plans for the governor’s chair, according to the director of the Center for Political Conjuncture, Konstantin Simonov, it is obvious that this step by the Saratov governor is another demonstration of his devotion to the Kremlin . The combination he played is too similar to the election move of President Putin, who also dismissed his government - however, only a month before the elections. At the same time, Mr. Ayatskov strongly emphasizes his dedication to the cause of administrative reform and detachment from personal attachments. As a result of the reorganization of the regional government, even the governor's personal friends were fired - the governor's chief of staff, Alexander Durnov, and vice-governor Vladimir Maron. Ekaterina GORDEEVA |
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