Ukraine's transport minister resigned Wednesday over disagreements with Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko amid a severe financial crisis.
Iosip Vinsky’s departure was the latest sign of the persistent political turmoil that has paralyzed the former Soviet republic’s government in recent years and intensified ahead of presidential elections in January.
Recent resignations and ousters have left Ukraine’s finance, defense and foreign ministries in the hands of acting chiefs, hindering efforts to ease the country’s economic problems and muddling policy.
In a statement on the ministry’s Web site, Vinsky accused Tymoshenko of blocking crucial infrastructure reforms and refusing to fund construction projects for the Euro 2012 soccer championship. He has said Tymoshenko was withholding funds to build airports for the sports event.
Tymoshenko has in turn accused Vinsky of using 15 million hryvna ($2 million) in government money to fund what she claims are his preparations for a presidential bid. Vinsky has denied that he plans to run for president and has fired back, saying that Tymoshenko should concentrate on managing the economy, not her presidential campaign.
Tymoshenko declared her candidacy this month.
Finance Minister Viktor Pynzenyk resigned in February, accusing Tymoshenko of mishandling the government’s response to the global financial crisis with unrealistic populist policies. Tymoshenko has in recent months allied with the main opposition party in parliament to dismiss the foreign and defense ministers, both allies of her rival, President Viktor Yushchenko.
Those ministries have since been run by acting heads.
Tymoshenko’s office declined immediate comment.
