Editor’s Note: President Volodymyr Zelensky is considering replacing Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk; one of his top candidates is Serhiy Tigipko, a veteran politician who served in top positions under ex-President Viktor Yanukovych. We asked people on the street in Kyiv whom they see as an ideal prime minister for Ukraine.
Lorina Yakubova,
retiree
“Rumor has it that (Serhiy) Tigipko is considered for the post. Well, he is a man of action, he has already been in power and has practical experience: he is a banker, has factories. I know he was in business, worked with (ex-President Viktor) Yanukovych, but, you see, now we have inexperienced youth in the government. Zelensky tried to do everything, but things do not always work out. Therefore, if a person is experienced and knows his work – let him try.”
Joseph Kroshniy,
IT freelancer
“Frankly, (Prime Minister Oleksiy) Honcharuk satisfies me for now. I like all of the reforms – the digital government and others. So, let’s give him a chance to accomplish everything. And Tigipko… he would have to go to Russia with (ex-Prime Minister Mykola) Azarov and Yanukovych.”
Angelina Borisenko,
housewife, web designer
“It should be (ex-President Petro) Poroshenko. I like his political discourse. First of all, what concerns war, because the policy of our current president is quite incorrect. He does not define it (war) as Russian aggression. But Petro Oleksiyovych, our former president, stated it clearly: There is an aggressor country, they occupied our territories and we should ask for international help. But now our boys are dying every day.”
Valentina Panchenko,
professor
“I think, (Volodymyr) Groysman. He has had the best personal qualities of all in recent years: young, bright, moderate. That is how I see it. ”
Valentyna Brodetska,
retiree, engineer
“Well, a lot of people are talking about (Yulia) Tymoshenko. She promised many things. I want something good, but I do not know where to find it. My acquaintances are talking about her. But for now, we have no messiah.”
Evgeny Levchuk,
realtor
“Garik Korogodski – he is the owner of Dream Town (shopping mall in Kyiv), writer and showman. I know he will run for mayor of Kyiv. I like him as a person, he puts forward his ideas for Kyiv… He is a new face. It’s just interesting (to see) how it will turn out. We have Honcharuk now and I see no difference: inflation, prices are rising, utility prices are rising, and the standard of living is as low as it was. I think one person cannot change that, it is a whole system that connected different people over the centuries. And for one person to hack this system… it may be hard.”
Sasha Grinevich,
programmer
“My mom. I do not see any other worthy candidate. She is honest. She works in a kindergarten, so she can change education. I guess, to build a new country one should start with education. And women should be in power. Men have reached their limits.”
