MINSK, 4 December (BelTA) – At a meeting with the Minsk Oblast authorities on 4 December Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko explained the reasons for the recent reshuffle of the local administration, BelTA has learned.
“As for the decision to reassign Anatoly Isachenko and appoint Aleksandr Turchin as Minsk Oblast Governor, I would like to explain once again the reasons for such a rotation in order to avoid any speculations,” the president said. “I have no issues with Anatoly Mikhailovich [Isachenko]. He has proven himself to be a talented and demanding leader over the period of time he spent in this position. Things did not get worse. On the contrary, the region is showing a positive trend in its development. However, the solution of new tasks set forth before the region require full commitment and energy. There is an objective reason why we cannot place this burden on Anatoly Mikhailovich [Isachenko] today.”
The head of state explained that he found it necessary to attend the introduction of the new governor to thank the former head of the region for his work. “Anatoly Mikhailovich, thank you for agreeing to lead the region and for the attention you paid to the people. This is a kind but demanding leader. The new governor can learn a lot from him,” the president stressed.
“If you think we are getting rid of you, you are mistaken. Your future position means more steady, measured work,” he said. It is planned that Anatoly Isachenko will serve as Presidential Aide for Minsk Oblast. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that this is a rare situation when a former governor is appointed to such a position in the same region. “When there was a similar situation with [former Gomel Oblast Governor Vladimir] Dvornik, everybody said: “Let's make him an aide. I said no then. This time, I decided differently, as I know that you will never interfere, and the reason for your reassignment is absolutely different. I want the issues we have outlined to be handed over to the new governor in a calm businesslike environment, and you, as a presidential aide, to oversee the implementation of my instructions as well,” he said.
The president added that the selection of the Minsk Oblast governor is a difficult task. “The region is huge. It is of crucial importance for the country,” he said. Aleksandr Turchin was chosen because he had worked at the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee before, and knows the people and the problems of the region very well. “When appointing him here, I told him about the work with the personnel, which is my major principle: every person should have a chance. If he or she does not use it, such people need to be transferred to another job, sent on a pension, somewhere else. I want you to understand that there will be no relaxing. This is not because I demand something or a new person has come. It is just because the situation around the country is developing in that way,” said the Belarusian leader.
Aleksandr Lukashenko described the new governor as a person ready for an independent leadership position. “Mistakes are undesirable. It is important that the new governor is a person that is well familiarized with both the economic and industrial sectors. He has experience of working at the regional level, in Minsk Oblast, and also at a high governmental level where he has proved his worth. He showed himself to be proactive and, most importantly, disciplined and responsible at all the assignments. In his new post he will not need much time to get to know the situation. He knows all the problems of Minsk Oblast,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The head of state stressed that very strong leaders worked as governors of Minsk Oblast during the years of the country's independence. “The best of the best were appointed to this position. Their rotation has always been the main direction of the state personnel policy. We will stay committed to such approaches because each new leader brings new ideas to the region, improves the style of local administration from the point of view of his/her experience,” the president said.
