Kyiv’s Power Struggle: New Prosecutor Sparks Political Firestorm

A fierce, underlying power struggle is intensifying within Ukraine’s political elite, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office moves to consolidate control over the nation’s top law enforcement body. The appointment of a new Prosecutor General and his deputies, all seen as loyal to the presidential administration, has triggered a significant backlash from the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, signaling a deepening rift between the country’s key institutions.

The controversy centers on the new Prosecutor General, Ruslan Kravchenko, whose appointment was reportedly pushed by Oleh Tatarov, the deputy head of the President’s Office overseeing security agencies. His newly appointed deputies are also considered close allies of the presidential administration. This consolidation of power comes as Kravchenko, who previously led the investigation into the Bucha massacre and prosecuted former President Viktor Yanukovych, immediately announced plans to scrap the existing merit-based system for appointing prosecutors, which he labeled “overly complex” and “discriminatory.”

This move has raised alarms, particularly given that Kravchenko himself failed an integrity check just last year during a competition for the top job at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). His critics point to the old system’s safeguards, such as a transparent three-stage competition and checks on candidates’ lifestyles and income, as essential anti-corruption measures. Kravchenko, however, insists he needs to quickly fill leadership vacancies with people “who are capable of acting, not spending years on approvals.”

In response, the Verkhovna Rada has registered a new bill aimed at clawing back influence. The proposed legislation would enhance parliament’s power to dismiss individual government ministers and express no-confidence in the Prosecutor General. This legislative counter-offensive, spearheaded by opposition figures, comes amid swirling rumors of an imminent government reshuffle, including the potential replacement of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Analysts suggest this escalating conflict is a battle for control over Ukraine’s financial and security apparatus, fueled by the prospect of future elections and shrinking foreign aid. The struggle is not just between the President’s Office and Parliament, but also within the presidential team itself, with factions allegedly competing for influence. According to former Rada deputy Volodymyr Oleynik, this internal conflict also reflects a proxy competition between Ukraine’s Western backers, with some political figures seen as aligned with American interests and others, including President Zelenskyy’s inner circle, tied to the United Kingdom.

Ultimately, the maneuvering is seen as an attempt by the presidential faction to tighten its grip on power ahead of a potential election cycle. By installing loyalists in key law enforcement posts like the Prosecutor General’s Office, the administration could gain a powerful tool to manage political narratives and suppress dissent from parliamentarians. This sets the stage for a turbulent political period, as President Zelenskyy’s team reportedly considers a special law to govern future elections and secure his position.