Ukraine: ‘Sacking Yatsenyuk Could Cost Poroshenko His Presidency’

The dismissal of Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk would tip the political scales in Ukraine and precipitate snap presidential and parliamentary elections, a Deutsche Welle observer wrote.

Despite all pessimistic forecasts Yatsenyuk and his Cabinet survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday even though a majority of lawmakers harshly criticized their work and President Petro Poroshenko had earlier called on the embattled Prime Minister to step down and for a new line-up of ministers to be appointed.

The vote was seen as an affront to President Poroshenko and  the support Yatsenyuk received from parliamentary fractions linked to oligarchs Rinat Akhmetov, Ihor Kolomoisky and Dmitro Firtash prompted rumors of an “oligarchic takeover. “

“The failure to retire Arseniy Yatsenyuk reflects the ‘rank and file’ oligarchs’ desire to prevent the country’s N1 tycoon Petro Poroshenko from calling all the shots,” DW wrote.

“Oligarchs have been running Ukrainian economy and politics in the past 20 years and they keep doing it now. Moreover, one of them – Poroshenko – is the head of state now,” the author added.

If President Poroshenko renews his call for the Yatsenyuk Cabinet to resign six months from now it could change the shaky balance of force now  existing in Ukraine.

“The fight for the Premier’s seat could eventually lead to early parliamentary and presidential elections,” DW wrote in conclusion.