Ukraine government reshuffle increases executive power

Significance

The shake-up in the cabinet and the Presidential Office was the largest overhaul of the political leadership since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Zelensky initiated a raft of resignations, appointments and re-appointments inside his team, which were then quickly approved by parliament.

Impacts

• The reshuffle did not touch the military leadership, so is unlikely to influence events on the battlefield.
• The reshuffle will remain unnoticed by the population, thereby neither improving nor worsening Zelensky’s political standing.
• The consolidation of the Zelensky administration’s powers will likely generate more criticism from the domestic opposition.
• Russian attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure are likely to generate economic and political pressure over the winter.