MINSK, 4 March (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko completed the formation of a new government on 4 March, BelTA has learned.
On 3 March Aleksandr Lukashenko appointed Nikolai Snopkov First Deputy Prime Minister, who will continue to supervise the economic team of the government. Vladimir Karanik was appointed Vice Premier to head the social team. The president also appointed ministers to these teams.
On 4 March the head of state compiled teams in the new government that will be responsible for industry, energy, agriculture, transportation, construction and utilities services.
The head of state appointed:
Viktor Karankevich – Deputy Prime Minister;
Anatoly Sivak – Deputy Prime Minister;
Yuri Shuleiko – Deputy Prime Minister;
Aleksandr Studnev – Architecture and Construction Minister;
Gennady Trubilo – Housing and Utilities Minister;
Aleksandr Kulik – Forestry Minister;
Sergei Maslyak – Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection;
Aleksandr Yefimov – Industry Minister;
Yuri Gorlov – Agriculture and Food Minister;
Aleksei Lyakhnovich – Transport and Communications Minister;
Aleksei Kushnarenko – Energy Minister;
Dmitry Pantus – Chairman of the State Authority for Military Industry;
Sergei Shlychkov – Chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technology;
Yelena Morgunova – Chairwoman of the State Committee for Standardization.
Decisions were also made to relieve former Architecture and Construction Minister Ruslan Parkhamovich from his post due to his transfer to another job. “He is smart and capable. He can work and do it well,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Former Agriculture and Food Minister Anatoly Linevich has also been relieved of his post due to the transfer to another job. “You'll learn about it in the near future,” the head of state said.
“The key ministers were appointed even before the election. So people knew what the government would be. But according to the Constitution, we must form the government, appoint members of the government. Apart from the leadership of the government [prime minister] we are actually completing the formation of the government,” the head of state said.
He said that in general he had no complaints about the work of the Council of Ministers. “The government is working. Nevertheless, we had to legally formalize it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president reiterated that the role of deputy prime ministers would increase enormously. “I think it is justified. Because the deputy prime minister is immersed in the work of the ministries. The ministries oversee the enterprises. This brings the structure of the government and all of you closer to the problems that need to be solved,” the head of state said.
He warned everyone that they will be held accountable for the results and that the executive discipline should be the highest.
“Today's appointments do not mean ‘exemption’ or a final decision. We need to plan a government meeting in the near future. All new and old ministers will get up to speed and be ready to answer questions. There, we will go through the tasks for the government. No one will be fussing over you, as it was in previous times. You know what to do in all areas. You know it better than I do, because you are specialists, you have a narrower focus. And I know what to ask from you and in what areas,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
He also urged the officials not to look for ways to hold on to their positions and present themselves in a good light: “You don't need to do that. I invite you to the meetings together with your immediate supervisor - deputy prime minister. You don't need to meet with me bypassing him. I will ask him for his opinion anyway. Your enterprises don't need to reach out to me bypassing you. Well, when I tour enterprises I talk to people and they tell me of how things are, of course. But you know what I'm talking about. I see everyone I appoint.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko congratulated everyone on the appointment and urged to work hard. “Do your best for the country, the people, the domestic market, so that the state remains the state. After all, I am not the only one who has children. You all do. They will have to live with what we are creating today. Good luck to you!” the Belarusian leader said.
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