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Ukraine: the new president Zelenskiy has not finished surprising

Former comedian elected president, Volodymyr Zelensky has just passed the milestone of the first 100 days at the head of Ukraine. He did not accomplish much, however, because Ukraine is a parliamentary republic and he had no party in the assembly. But everything changes from Thursday, August 29, with the inauguration of a parliament elected in July and in which he now holds the absolute majority.

From our correspondent in Kiev,

Volodymyr Zelenskiy now has almost full powers. It has an absolute majority of 254 deputies out of 450 and is very close to a constitutional majority. His party can form a government by itself, and very quickly. The new cabinet could start work on Monday, September 2nd. The start of the school year coincides perfectly with the start of the school year.

The majority will also have to appoint a new attorney general, and from there replace the heads of anti-corruption institutions and security organs. So full powers are coming, even if Volodymyr Zelenskiy's party is animated by different currents, and the ruling team is influenced by oligarchic groups and international partners like the IMF. This is perhaps the only true counter-power to Volodymyr Zelenskiy who otherwise controls everything.

A first in Ukraine

This is the first time that such a situation has happened in Ukraine, a country that celebrated this year the 28th anniversary of its independence. The first time a political party has such popular support, it is unique, as is the new parliament where 87 women won seats in the legislature. That remains little, but it has established a record in Ukrainian history. There is also in the ranks of the majority the first deputy of African descent: Jean Beleniouk, an Olympic champion of Greco-Roman wrestling, born of a Rwandan father.

It is thus a unique Parliament which raises expectations and hopes quite new. The elections have shown that Ukrainians are waiting for radical changes and that they want to believe in the " new era " promised them by the president.

Towards a lifting of parliamentary immunity

Apart from forming the government, one of Parliament's first steps should be the lifting of parliamentary immunity. A very symbolic measure that must mark the end of recess for a whole series of corrupt personalities who have been abusing state resources for 28 years. Many Ukrainians are calling for uncompromising justice and exemplary prison sentences.

In general, we expect structural reforms that will aim to transform the country in griculture, health, education, finance, new technologies, road network ... We must also define a policy vis-à-vis of Russian intervention in the East and Crimea. The new MPs have a lot of plans, and with this majority they can theoretically do anything, assuming they avoid the pitfalls of populism or conflicts of interest. The return is already announced hectic.

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