The Financial Times: Zelensky's Clash with MPs Jeopardizes IMF and EU Reform Loans
Ukrainian political tensions have intensified, causing the parliament to stall several of Zelensky's initiatives. This situation poses a serious challenge to the reforms required to secure financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Union.
The Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada has expressed dissatisfaction with Zelensky’s governance style, accusing him of lacking consultation and refusing to submit certain political decisions for legislative review. In response, Zelensky threatened lawmakers who were unwilling to "fulfill their duties in parliament," stating they would have to "serve on the front lines."
Galina Yanchenko, a member of Zelensky’s parliamentary faction, "Servants of the People," said, "Relations between the two sides have become highly destructive... It would be more constructive and efficient if the government first negotiated with parliament before engaging foreign partners."
The stalled reforms currently include several hard requirements set by the IMF, such as:
1. Imposing value-added tax (VAT) on small and micro enterprises
2. Taxing international postal parcels
Meanwhile, the government has yet to draft legislation aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s national anti-corruption institutions—core conditions for the EU to provide financial aid and consider Ukraine’s accession application.
Some members of parliament claim that ongoing investigations into former Prime Minister and opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko—accused of bribing lawmakers and manipulating parliamentary votes—have further diminished legislators’ willingness to vote.
According to party counts, the number of MPs currently available to support government legislation has dropped to just 111, far below the 254-seat majority Zelensky secured in the 2019 election.
The fatigue brought by war, coupled with a series of successive political and corruption scandals, has severely eroded public trust in both Zelensky’s party and himself personally.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860550580930588/
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