The New Voice of Ukraine spoke with citizens across the country to gauge reactions following the July 17 appointment of Svyrydenko, who previously served as first deputy prime minister and economy minister.
“I haven’t heard much about what she’s done, but time will tell,” one respondent said. “We’ve had a lot of prime ministers, and most of them didn’t turn out great. One fled to Russia, others were dismissed.”
Another respondent echoed that sentiment, saying there was little known publicly about Svyrydenko and her capabilities.
“I know very little about her, so I can’t really say whether she’ll be better than Shmyhal,” he said. “Honestly, many people didn’t even know who our prime minister was. It used to be that at least people recognized the name. Now, if you ask around, I think most wouldn’t be able to tell you.”
Some interviewees told NV they viewed the Cabinet reshuffle as little more than shifting the same people around.
“It’s hard to say,” one woman said. “Our governments have been lasting longer lately, but they’re invisible. They’re gray, like mice. I don’t know any of the ministers except my sector’s minister—because I work at Mohyla Academy. I’m satisfied with [Education Minister] Oksen Lisovyi, at least he holds a pro-Ukrainian position, and that’s really important right now.”
Others questioned whether making major changes during wartime is appropriate.
“I don’t think dismissing the whole government during a war is the right move,” one respondent said.
“It just feels like rearranging the chairs,” another added. “Maybe something will change, hopefully for the better.”
Still, a few expressed cautious optimism.
“Let’s hope these changes are for the better,” one woman said. “I want to believe things will improve. Sooner or later, they have to.”
On July 16, Ukraine’s parliament dismissed Denys Shmyhal from the post of prime minister after more than five years in office—the longest tenure in the country’s modern history.
The following day, lawmakers confirmed his appointment as Ukraine’s new defense minister with 267 votes in favor.
Svyrydenko, who received 262 votes of support, has become Ukraine’s first female prime minister in over a decade.