Ukraine ruling coalition breaks up in setback for incoming president

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Ukraine's ruling coalition broke up on Friday, and one of its two constituent parties said it would try to form a new one, annoying President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky, who is weighing calling a snap parliamentary election to bolster his power.

The decision of the People's Front party to quit the faction of outgoing President Petro Poroshenko triggers a 30-day period for discussions on forging a new coalition. This would probably prevent Zelensky from calling an election as it would be too close to the current planned date of the poll in late October.

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Zelensky, a comedian with no prior political experience, won the presidency by a landslide last month but his new party has no representation in parliament, making it expedient for him to call a snap poll while his popularity remains high.

The session hall of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, May 14, 2019. /Reuters Photo

His ability to work with parliament will be crucial to his ability to meet the expectations of his voters and also pass reforms needed to keep foreign aid flowing.

"So the current game in parliament is another testimony to the fact that deputies are indifferent to the people who elected them," Zelensky's press service said in a statement criticizing the move by the People's Front.

"However, we want to remind you that the country needs changes and deep reforms. This is the demand of the Ukrainian people. And for its implementation, a capable parliament is needed."

Zelensky won the presidency by appealing to voters fed up with entrenched corruption and low living standards in April.

Petro Poroshenko casts his vote at a polling station during the second round of Ukraine's presidential election in Kiev, Ukraine, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo

According to a survey by the Reiting pollster showed this week, Zelensky's Servant of the People party is on course to win the next parliamentary election but fall short of a majority.

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Zelensky signaled his desire for a snap parliamentary poll when he accused the election commission of deliberately delaying the official announcement of his presidential win and thereby narrowing the legal window for him to dissolve parliament.

However, more recently he has declined to say for sure whether he wanted a snap poll, saying any such announcement would only happen after his inauguration on May 20.

(Cover: Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky reacts following the announcement of the first exit poll in a presidential election at his campaign headquarters in Kiev, Ukraine, April 21, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters