Yeltsin Promotes Reformer
Russian President Boris N. Yeltsin promoted a leading reformer Saturday and gave him broad powers to shape economic policy after a shake-up that prompted speculation he was putting the brakes on reforms.
The promotion of Anatoly Chubais, a lone holdover from Russia’s original team of radical reformers, to first deputy prime minister appeared to be Yeltsin’s answer to liberal critics.
It also gives the government’s harsh 1995 budget proposal a strong advocate to steer it through a restive Parliament. Billions of dollars in international loans and credits that could make or break Russia’s reforms hinge on the government adhering to a strict anti-inflationary path.
As chairman of the State Property Committee and deputy premier since 1991, Chubais, 39, has directed Russia’s privatization program. He said his top priority is to ensure passage of the reform-oriented budget.
The promotion makes Chubais one of two first deputy prime ministers, along with Oleg Soskovets.
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