Yanukovych snubs Akhmetov by appointing Azarov his campaign chief

July03200919:47

A Rada lawmaker, Taras Chornovil, says in his interview with The Stolychni Novyny the recent appointment by Viktor Yanukovych of Mykola Azarov to head his campaign staff is “a slap in the face” of Rinat Akhmetov, Azarov’s bitter enemy, and a provocation of an inner-party conflict.

“It was a demonstrative slap for all others when Azarov was made chief of campaign staff and an open invitation to a conflict. It may lead to an explosion, because it is, primarily, a slap in Akhmetov’s face for whom Azarov is definitely a persona non grata. It is a demonstration by Yanukovych of his numb force, an attempt to prove that he can do everything he wants because of his rating and charisma. Yanukovych can make mistakes, waver and change his opinion ten times a day – and get away with it,” says Chornovil.

“Regions members won’t tolerate it for long. Their opposition will be demonstrated by indifference and quiet sabotage from those whom Yanukovych will need so badly during campaigning, starting from rank-and-file campaign workers who will be ashamed to sell their leader to voters. Incidentally, that was why I quitted the Regions. Besides, Yanukovych may lose his major donor for the war chest. By spurning his entourage in such a way, Yanukovych may have a hard time ahead,” the lawmaker said.