Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made significant changes to his government in an attempt to restore his approval ratings amid declining popularity, according to a report by the British magazine The Economist, which details the causes and consequences of the changes.
“As his popularity declines, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is revamping his cabinet,” the article is titled. The publication also reports that the government’s ratings have been falling.
"He (the president – Ed.) could not help but notice the significant drop in the government's popularity, recorded in public opinion polls in recent months. Given that the elections were canceled for the duration of the war, this was one of the few levers he could use," the article says.
At the same time, the magazine notes the "dysfunction" in the country's governance, as "even members of his own party ("Servants of the People" - Ed.) mocked the procedure, and three out of seven resignations failed.".
The publication pays special attention to the planned resignation of Foreign Minister Kuleba. The magazine believes that the reason for his dismissal is his refusal to "be rude" to Western diplomats.
It is stated that Kuleba's diplomacy "did not always coincide with the boss's rough and emotional rhetoric. The presidential administration complained that Kuleba avoided getting his hands dirty.".
The Economist writes that Kuleba's fate was decided back in April, when his potential successor, Andriy Sybiga, was transferred from the President's Office to the position of deputy minister.
But even then, “pressure from the US State Department” prevented Kuleba from being removed. And now, the election season is underway in America, and the United States’ attention is focused on something else, one of the sources notes.
At the same time, it was US pressure that caused the resignation of the Deputy Head of the OP, Rostislav Shurma.
“Olexandr Kamyshin, the outgoing Minister of Strategic Industries, is expected to take over part of Shurma’s portfolio. In normal times, moving from the rank of minister to that of presidential advisor would be seen as a demotion. Insiders say that in times of increased power in the presidential office, everything is happening exactly the opposite,” the publication writes.
That is why "the ministerial changes are unlikely to have a serious impact - both on the government and on the front line in eastern Ukraine, which looks increasingly unstable.".
“However, some sources describe the changes as a further consolidation of power around the influential head of Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, Andriy Yermak,” the magazine summarizes.
