Ukrainian president must back new premier on reforms

Significance

Groisman's cabinet has no excuse to delay the launch of economic reforms demanded by the IMF and the legislation needed to hold elections in eastern Ukraine under the Minsk 2.0 accords. Some key ministers have been retained, and the other posts divided between Groisman and his mentor, President Petro Poroshenko.

Impacts

• Political stability should allow negotiations with the IMF to resume, but lending will be conditional on reforms.
• Western partners will urge Groisman to facilitate elections in eastern Ukraine, but this will be hard to sell to the domestic audience.
• The appointment of a truly independent chief prosecutor will test the government's commitment to change the way business is done.