More cabinet reshuffles are due in fall as struggle for control over cash flows intensifies

Commenting on minister Shufrych’s dismissal, Fesenko said a deal with Baloha [to join the ruling majority] can be one of the reasons for the dismissal

“Who the new emergencies minister is will be clear after the talks between the influential groups in the government. The post could be only one of the prizes demanded by Baloha, with the other being the local elections,” Fesenko says. 

The other reason for Shufrych’s dismissal could be his open conflict with Lyovochkin, Yanukovych’s chief of staff. Incidentally, by his strongly worded declarations vis-à-vis Lyovochkin Shufrych himself supported this version.

Shufrych’s unsatisfactory track record as emergencies minister could well be yet another reason for his dismissal, Fesenko believes. Floods in Western Ukraine and inefficient efforts by the ministry could have led to his sacking.

“As the ministry is one of the richest cabinet divisions, with a lot of budgetary funding, the Shufrych’s dismissal can indicate struggle to control the ministry amid the regime’s groups,” Fesenko says. 

“Such chaotic and large-scale reshuffling is working against the new regime. It betrays problems inside the ruling coalition and inefficient personnel policy. Ministers are not typically dismissed several months into their jobs. Where are the professionals the Regions boasted they had?” Fesenko says.