Prospects for a Zelenskiy presidency

RUSSIA / FSU POLITICS - In Brief 03 Apr 2019 by Alex Teddy
Zelenskiy looks like he is heading for victory in the second round of elections. Yulia Tymoshenko surprised some by refusing to endorse either candidate now that she has been knocked out of the election. Some expected her to give her backing to Zelenskiy. Markets have reacted positively to the likelihood of a Zelenskiy presidency with Ukrainian Eurobonds rising in value. Worries about Ukraine's ability to finance its debt have been reduced a little.What would a Zelenskiy presidency mean? It might improve relations with Russia. Zelenskiy has talked about reconciliation but has no concrete plan. On the other hand his financial backer Ihor Kolomoisky is anti-Russian. The president is not an all-powerful figure. Reforms in 2014 reduced presidential prerogatives considerably. The Rada (parliament) gained some powers which previously pertained to the president. The Rada can also remove the president by impeachment. Zelenskiy's effectiveness as president would depend on his ability to forge alliances with other parties. It is likely that he would leave prime minister Vladimir Groysman en poste. Zelenskiy formed a political party called 'Servant of the People' in March 2018. It has the same name as a comedy that he starred in. His party had no one in the Rada. The party could vanish as suddenly as it appeared. To implement his ambitious but vague program he would need many allies.

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