Ukraine's PM resigns after outcry over slow reforms, corruption

(Vatican Radio)  Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has announced his resignation on Sunday saying he would support the country's parliamentary speaker to replace him after a public outcry over perceived slow reforms and rampant corruption.

Speaking on national television, a visibly upset Yatsenyuk said he would step down for severfal reasons including what he called "the political crisis in the country."

He said he views his goals as broader than the powers of the head of government. "My devotion to national principles and strength of character are the essence of a real national leader for me." Therefore," I decided to resign as the Prime Minister of Ukraine. On Tuesday, April 12th, I will submit my resignation in the Verkhovna Rada," Ukraine's parliament, he added.

Yatsenyuk cautioned that the "political crisis in the country is artificial". He said: "The desire to change one person blinded and paralyzed political will for real change in the country. The process of changing the government became a mindless walking without progress. The authors of the crisis became hostages to these circumstances, and turned all of us - the government, the society, and state - into hostages as well." 

He made clear that the next prime minister could become Parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Groysman, an ally of Western-backed President Petro Poroshenko.

Political battle

Yatsenyuk's resignation followed a long political battle. His cabinet survived a no confidence vote in February, but officials and two parties left the government amid frustration over the worsening economy and perceived slow pace of reforms, including tackling corruption.

Kiev residents have mixed feelings about resignation. “Yatsenyuk was a populist. Actually all measures he initiated, all the work he did was for the sake of his image," a man said. "In reality the laws they passed were aimed at lobbying particular groups and certain interests. They were just splitting the funds and channeling away the money.”

Another woman agrees saying: “I think it (situation) will become even worse. Perhaps it looks like it can’t get any worse than it is now already but judging by the fact that (parliamentary speaker Volodymyr) Groysman will be appointed a new prime minister, as experts say, it will be even worse for us.”

And the crisis comes at a difficult time for Ukraine amid reports of renewed fighting in the east between government forces and Russian backed separatists as part of what international observers have described as the worst ceasefire violations since the autumn. 

Ukraine’s European Union ambitions also suffered a setback last week when voters in the Netherlands roundly rejected a landmark EU association agreement with the unstable former Soviet state in a referendum. Additionally, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has threatened to withhold billions of dollars in aid money if Ukraine does not carry out reforms.