Saakashvili declares he’s ready to lead Ukraine Cabinet

Mikheil Saakashvili,
the former Odesa regional administration head who is leading the “Rada Maidan”
protests, told a Nov. 19 demonstration that Ukraine need a new government and
he’s ready to lead it. The national impeachment effort will begin on Dec. 3 if
parliament fails to approve demanded legislation by that time, he declared, and
information centers have been established in each regional center. “I will
travel across the country, raising up people without provocations, peacefully
and calmly, justifiably, with a concrete plan and candidates for concrete
positions,” Saakashvili said. He was supported by MPs Yuriy Derevianko and
Serhiy Leshchenko.

The “Rada Maidan”
protest will enter its fifth week tomorrow, with demands that parliament
approve legislation to change the elections system for the parliament vote in
2019, legislation to impeach the president and to establish an independent
anti-corruption court. Three attempts failed in October to change the election
system. Meanwhile, the U.S. and EU governments endorse the establishment of an
anti-corruption court.

Zenon Zawada: Saakashvili can claim to be leading
protests “peacefully and calmly,” but what he’s truly talking about is a coup
when mentioning that his protest movement has “a concrete plan and candidates
for concrete positions,” including himself as prime minister. These plans are
particularly disturbing when elections are scheduled for 2019. Though we don’t
think he has the political capital to wield power, even if he could achieve it,
we view Saakashvili’s protests as posing a risk to the security situation in
Ukraine.

We don’t believe Saakashvili is financed by the Kremlin, but Russia
could take advantage of the destabilization that’s caused. That’s especially
the case when considering that it’s very likely the demanded legislation won’t
be approved by Dec. 3.