Why Servant of the People party leader Arakhamia helps Shmyhal retain premiership

The absence of political ambitions, understanding of his place in the power hierarchy, good management skills, and friendly relations with the Servant of the People faction leader David Arakhamia have allowed Denys Shmyhal to remain prime minister for over four years.

This is detailed in an NV article titled The Secret of Shmyhal: How the Former Manager of Akhmetov Became the Ideal Prime Minister for Zelenskyy and Yermak, and What Role Arakhamia Plays.

Shmyhal kept his position even though, at the beginning of September, the parliament, at the behest of the head of state, dismissed more than half of the sitting ministers. Before that, there were rumors that the presidential office was about to hand over the prime minister's seat to Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who oversees the entire economic bloc of the government.

A former minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the editorial office that the role of the SOTP faction leader was not insignificant in this happy ending for Shmyhal. According to the source, Arakhamia "stood up" for the current premier.

However, the ex-official did not explain the reasons for Arakhamia's favor towards the head of the government.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Center for Applied Political Studies Penta, cautioned against overestimating the influence of the SOTP faction leader in personnel matters, as the primary decision-makers are President Zelenskyy and his chief-of-staff, Andriy Yermak.

Nevertheless, a representative from Zelenskyy's inner circle assured the editorial office that Arakhamia indeed supports Shmyhal. The explanation is simple—they are friends and support each other.