Valentin Konovalov rearranged the pieces – Politics – Kommersant Novosibirsk

The head of the Republic of Khakassia, Valentin Konovalov, made large-scale changes in the structure of the regional government and redistributed powers among his deputies. These decisions followed the dismissal of a number of cabinet members, accompanied by criticism of their work. In political circles, it is believed that Mr. Konovalov thus began preparations for the election of the head, which will be held in 2023. He has already announced his intention to take part in them.

Significant changes have taken place in the government of Khakassia in the structure and redistribution of powers between the deputies of the head of the region, Valentin Konovalov. At the beginning of August there were retired Deputy head of the region Olga Ponomareva, who headed the work of the social bloc, and Minister of Education and Science Larisa Gimazutina. The reason for the dismissal of Mrs. Ponomareva was called “the unsatisfactory work of the minister, leading to shortcomings in the activities of the ministry.” Last week also for “unsatisfactory work” Valentin Konovalov fired Minister of Labor and Social Protection Vladimir Chebodaev. Now the entire social block will be supervised by the first deputy head Tatiana Kurbatova. As Kommersant-Siberia was specified in the press service of the government of Khakassia, Ms. Kurbatova also manages the apparatus of the head and government of the region, oversees the Ministry of National and Territorial Policy and the Ministry of Justice and Regional Security.

Yulia Ismagilova, deputy head of the republic, permanent representative of the region in Moscow, will now also be responsible for the financial and economic bloc (Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economic Development). Previously, it was run by Deputy Head Sergei Komarov. Now, the Ministry of Transport and Roads will remain in Mr. Komarov’s control zone, and the newly created Ministry of Digital Development and Communications (instead of the state committee of the same name) and the State Tarifenergo will be added. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food was transferred to its jurisdiction.

In addition to the creation of the Mintsifra, a number of other structural changes took place. Announced on the allocation of an independent state committee for forestry from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology, as well as on the creation of a state committee for mobilization work and the protection of state secrets.

Valentin Konovalov warned members of the republic’s government about the upcoming changes at the end of July. “Today, it is necessary to quickly and effectively solve the tasks set by the President: the creation of a self-sufficient domestic economy, the development of human potential, and the reduction of poverty. We have a lot of work to do in a completely new, rapidly changing environment. Unfortunately, not everyone in the government of the republic today is able to cope with the tasks set. For different reasons. Someone burned out professionally. For some it’s time for a well-deserved rest. Someone is underworking and does not hear the problems of people on the ground, ”the head of the region said then.

Party members of Valentin Konovalov in the Communist Party reacted with understanding to the changes. “The head of the region knows better why certain officials leave the team. I think that such a redistribution of powers, structural changes are a mature, deliberate step by Valentin Olegovich, ”Tayir Achitaev, deputy of the Communist Party faction in the Supreme Council of Khakassia, told Kommersant-Siberia.

Political scientist, member of the political council of the Abakan branch of United Russia, Mikhail Verkhoturov, is sure that the head of the republic made the decision in the context of preparations for the 2023 election campaign.

“Valentin Konovalov essentially initiated the Second Term project. To do this, he needs to somehow correct his simply monstrous anti-rating. Any governor in such a case, as a rule, changes his team, ”he said.

In 2018, communist Valentin Konovalov won the election of the head of Khakassia, gaining 57.6% of the vote in the second round. Currently, he remains the only Russian governor who was able to defeat a United Russia competitor in the election.

How wrote “b”in its latest study, the Minchenko Consulting company once again included Valentin Konovalov in the “red zone” – the list of heads of regions who are threatened with resignation.

Yevgeny Cheltygmashev, an independent deputy of the Supreme Council of the Republic, also thinks the same: “The head of the region, having announced that he intends to run for a second term, plans to create his own team, which, as I understand it, he did not manage to form in three and a half years. According to the chronology, then comes the reconfiguration – a politically motivated pre-election team is being created.”

On the possibility of nomination for a second term, Valentin Konovalov said this week in Sorsk at a meeting with residents of the city.

“First of all, of course, it will be closer to the election date. It will be 2023. There will be an understanding of whether there is trust from the people, whether there is trust in the president. Then the final decision will be made. But in general, I want to say – yes, I plan to, ”he then answered the question of one of the participants in the meeting.

However, Mr. Achitaev believes that there is no preparation for the elections behind the personnel and structural changes. “In every gesture of the governor and in his actions – personnel, economic and others – I would not look for the underlying reason in the election agenda. I think that this is an ongoing work, a normal process. As a deputy, the most important thing is whether these decisions will entail new budget expenditures. In this case, there are no such issues,” he says.

Valery Lavsky