The Prime Minister will open the first session of the executive tomorrow in a crucial moment for her leadership. Dahn, who has been prime minister since 2018, is facing criticisms over her premiership, amid accusations that she has ‘lost control’ of her executive team and her legislative agenda. Her former deputy, Dmitry Lebedev, has also launched a public campaign against the Prime Minister – asking her to step aside as party leader for “the good of the country”.
So far Dahn has refused to be drawn on criticisms and has stated that she is “focused on leading the country through difficult times” and said “now is not the time for petty divisions when our nation requires strong, united leadership”. Senior executive cabinet ministers have steered clear of endorsing Mr Lebedev’s comments over the prime minister, but have supported his attacks against the Nationalists. Yulia Warner, the Justice Minister, broke ranks and released a joint statement alongside rising star Miguel Carrero and former United Democratic leader Tymur Rubin, in support of the former first deputy. Yevginy Kalandarishivilli, the Digital Minister, and a close ally of former president and prime minister Koruin Gruaman also gave supportive comments last week. Close Dahn allies Fabian Meyer, the Foreign Minister, Arnold Lippman, the Finance Minister and Ms Dahn’s effective de-facto deputy, and Defence Minister Krill Serbin have all supported the prime minister and characterised Mr Lebedev’s attacks as “gossip”.
Dahn will now also have to deal with a new president at the Niveri Palace – with landmark talks due to start later in the week as President Tattar begins to announce his top team and his intentions regarding working with the government. Dahn’s executive is expected to appeal to the president to back its legislative agenda and to commit to working ‘cooperatively’ together – but the government will need to respond to the president’s own plans. It is expected that ‘major infrastructure projects’ will be signed off quickly and prioritised – and the government is expected to ask the president to endorse its economic strategy.
The Prime Minister will start the year embattled and will want to quickly reassert her authority, but with rumours swirling over her executive team and a new president to negotiate with, it may be difficult for her to focus on her legislative agenda.
