Belarusian authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka reshuffled key positions in the government and presidential administration on June 27. Lukashenka was quoted by state news agency BelTA as saying "efficiency must be increased" and bureaucracy reduced. The new head of Lukashenka’s presidential administration is the former ambassador to Russia, Dmitry Krutoi. The position has been vacant since March. Lukashenka also replaced the first deputy head of the presidential administration, the foreign minister, the deputy prime minister, the minister for agriculture, and the minister of industry. All those appointed are under international sanctions. To read the original story on RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.
Lukashenka Announces Major Shake-Up Of Belarusian Government
Belarus's authoritarian leader, Alyaksandr Lukashenka (file photo)