KIEV — Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is expected to use new presidential powers to dismiss two ministers by the end of the week, the justice minister said Monday.
The Constitutional Court, in a landmark ruling Friday, handed Yanukovych powers that had been lost to parliament in 2004, including the right to name and fire the prime minister and other ministers.
Speaking to journalists, Justice Minister Oleksander Lavrynovych said he expected Yanukovych to dismiss two of five deputy prime ministers currently serving in the government of Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.
Lavrynovych said the 1996 constitution, which has now come back into force with last Friday's ruling, foresaw only three deputy prime ministers and one first deputy prime minister.
"Given that the number of deputy prime ministers is slightly out of line … I am sure that the president in the course of the week will fulfill the decision of the court and the makeup of the Cabinet will be aligned with the constitution," he said.
The current five deputy prime ministers are: Borys Kolesnikov, responsible for the UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament; Volodomyr Sivkovych, who looks after law enforcement bodies; Viktor Slauta, who holds the agro-industrial portfolio; Sergei Tigipko, who handles economic issues; and Viktor Tykhonov, who oversees regional policy.
Lavrynovych did not pinpoint which ministers he thought would go.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
