The background for the reprimand was lack of anti-unemployment programs in Murmansk Oblast, but experts believe that the real reason is Yevdokimov’s failure to support United Russia’s candidate in the election to the post as Mayor of Murmansk, as already reported by BarentsObserver.
It was at a conference on economic issues that President Medvedev criticized Yevdokimov. Under a discussion about programs for improving employment, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Zhukov said that all of Russia’s regions already have worked out their own programs, and that “only Murmansk and Pskov have dropped behind”, Vedomosti reports.
To this Medvedev replied to tell the governors to do their duties according to the law, and to “stop fooling around abroad, taking collective holidays there”. Yevdokimov had just returned from an official visit to Northern Norway when Medvedev’s strong criticism came.
Since Pskov Oblast Governor Mikhail Kuznetsov was replaced already in February, all the blame seems to be put on Yury Yevdokimov.
According to Vedomosti, sources in the presidential administration earlier told that Yevdokimov sent his notice of resignation already in mid-February. This information has been disclaimed by the governor. Other sources claim that he will be dismissed – some say in April, others say it might happen earlier.
Yury Yevdokimov is known for his good relations with colleagues in neighboring countries. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by King Harald V in August 2007 for his contributions in the Norwegian-Russian cooperation. Last week Governor Yury Yevdokimov was on a visit to Norway, where signed agreements with Finnmark County Governor Gunnar Kjønnøy on further cooperation with Norway within nuclear safety projects and with Troms County Governor Paul Dahlø on cooperation within shipping, energy, education and other fields. Both Troms and Murmansk are member regions in the Barents Cooperation.
