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Murmansk is doing better, says minister

Murmansk is under increasing pressure from Moscow because of its budget deficit.

But analysts believe the region’s high debts and budget deficit ultimately will lead to the dismissal of regional governor Marina Kovtun.

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According to regional Minister of Finance Roman Duryagin, Murmansk in 2013 successfully managed to cut expenses, consequently lowering the budget deficit to 6,4 billion rubles (11,8%).

As previously reported, the region in 2012 had a deficit of 16,6 percent. Murmansk now has a debt of 12,6 billion rubles, which is considerably lower that the neighboring regions of Arkhangelsk and Karelia.

Finance Minister Duryagin believes the regional economy is on the right track and that the administration is fulfilling all the obligations imposed by the federal government, a press release reads.

However, that is not the opinion of a group of analysts, which name Murmansk among the Russian regions now facing reactions from Moscow. According to a new report from the Center for Political Information, Murmansk is one of four regions with the most troublesome budget situation. According to newspaper Izvestia, Murmansk Governor Marina Kovtun could face an uncertain future unless she manages to turn the situation.