KIEV, June 17 – Transportation Minister Yosyp Vinskiy resigned Wednesday, citing “serious disagreements” with Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko over policy issues, further weakening the government as Ukraine plows through its worst economic crisis in a decade.

The resignation, which must be accepted by Parliament, may increase the number of vacant seats in the 25-strong government to four, raising concerns that the government may eventually become incapable.

The resignation already triggered exodus of Vinskiy’s allies from the Tymoshenko-led coalition in Parliament, further undermining fragile legislative support for her government.

“It’s time to talk publicly about the need to reshuffle the Cabinet of Ministers,” Parliamentary Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said Wednesday after confirming Vinskiy’s resignation. “It’s time for professional, responsible people to come that won’t be running away.”

The resignation highlights significant personnel challenges faced by the government.

A month ago Interior Minister Yuriy Lutsenko submitted resignation following his brief detention by German police on May 5 for allegedly attempting to board Lufthansa’s plane in Frankfurt while being drunk.

Although Tymoshenko quietly backed Lutsenko, his dismissal is demanded by the Regions Party, the largest group in Parliament, and by President Viktor Yushchenko’s Our Ukraine group.

The Regions Party also insisted on resignation of Industrial Policy Minister Vadym Novitskiy, while Tymoshenko is thought to have been seeking to remove Justice Minister Mykola Onyshchuk among others.

Tymoshenko has been unable to fill vacant positions in the government since the resignation of Finance Minister Viktor Pynzenyk on February 12. He cited sharp disagreements with Tymoshenko over economic and fiscal policies leading to widening budget deficit.

Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko, a pro-Western figure, was dismissed March 3 by Parliament after his public clash with Tymoshenko over foreign policy.

Defense Minister Yuriy Yekhanurov, an ally of Yushchenko, was dismissed June 5 following Tymoshenko’s attack for allegedly overpaying for food supplies to the army. Analysts said Tymoshenko has been in fact trying to weaken Yushchenko, her rival, ahead of the next presidential election.

The 25-strong government becomes incapable of approving any decision if there are at least nine vacant seats in the Cabinet, according to the justice ministry.

Tymoshenko was unable to appoint new ministers because the government – contrary to her assurances - lacks support of majority in 450-seat Parliament.

Her coalition has been usually mustering 210 lawmakers, which is not enough to approve anti-crisis measures that would reverse an estimated 25% annual contraction of the economy in the first quarter.

But the resignation of Vinskiy already triggered exodus of his allies – Henadiy Zadyrko and Volodymyr Kapliyenko – from Tymoshenko’s party on Wednesday, suggesting the government will further struggle to secure legislative support.

Vinskiy is one of few government members that have publicly criticized her for secret constitutional talks with Regions Party leader Viktor Yanukovych. The talks collapsed a week ago after Yanukovych had pulled out.

Tymoshenko responded by attacking Vinskiy for seeking to run for the presidency in a bid that would rival Tymoshenko. She also alleged UkrPoshta, the state-owned post company, was ordered by the minister to spend 15 million hryvnias to advertise electronic tickets in a footage featuring Vinskiy.

Vinksiy denied the allegations and said he has no plans of running for presidency.

Tymoshenko said Wednesday she was in talks with political groups to reshuffle the government.

“We will be holding the consultations through the end of the week,” Tymoshenko said at a press conference. “Next week we will do everything to appoint all ministers that we can.”

“The coalition is strong, it is working normally. Any event that has happened in politics has no [negative] effect on the work of coalition,” Tymoshenko said. “I think we have only strengthened our ranks.” (tl/ez)