Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has reportedly stepped down from his post. He has tendered his resignation on Sunday, multiple reports have confirmed.
According to Fortune, the resignation of Yatsenyuk has paved the way for Western-backed coalition parties to nominate an ally of President Petro Poroshenko. Accordingly, his departure from the government will allow the formation of a new alliance in order to push the delayed reform bills through parliaments.
The resignation of the former Prime Minister comes amid reports of corruption surrounding him such as the delayed disbursement of aid under a $17.5 billion International Monetary Fund bailout program. Also, it comes after allies of Poroshenko called for the ousting of the former Prime Minister, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Yatsenyuk, who became the prime minister of the country back in 2014, promised strict economic reforms. However, his support from the public has declined as his government is accused of not doing enough to hold oligarchs accountable.
In a televised address, Yatsenyuk said that his resignation will come into effect this Tuesday, April 12, as it will be submitted to the parliament. He added in his statement that the political crisis in the country was "created artificially" and that the desire to change one person has blinded the politicians and "paralyzed their political will for real change," Kyiv Post reported.
Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk were expected to announce a reboot of their ruling coalition next week. In his speech, Yatsenyuk said that his party was committed to the coalition and expected that he will be replaced by parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Groysman, the former mayor of a town in west-central Ukraine.
Despite the nomination for Groysman, some domestic reformers and Western powers are disappointed by his possible appointment. They have hoped that Finance Minister Natalia Yaresko will be getting the post.
Also in his speech, Yatsenyuk said that he will still focus on the new electoral law, reform of Constitution and judicial reform. However, he did not clarify what post will he be filling for in the Ukrainian government.
