Espreso. Global
OPINION

Zelenskyy will not leave office after his second term

22 October, 2023 Sunday
17:56

He has formed a core electorate that sincerely loves him and fiercely attacks any criticism of their idol

client/title.list_title

The most important thing in Zoya Kazanzhy's resonant publication* is not who Zoya is, nor is it that the president is “stupid.”

For me, the main thing there is the authoritarianism of the president and, as a result, dictatorship.

It is a deep irony that in the struggle between democracies and dictatorships, authoritarian Ukraine is fighting on the side of democracies.

“I am convinced that Zelenskyy will not leave after his second term. He frankly likes power and does not hesitate to enjoy it. He has everything to keep it.”

Since assuming office, Zelenskyy has significantly reduced the independence of key institutions in Ukraine, including the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers, the National Bank, the Security Service, the State Bureau of Investigation, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, and others. Decision-making power has become centralized in the president's office, where advisors make key decisions, which are then announced by government agencies as their own. This has led to a lack of a robust political process in the country. Established political parties have been marginalized, and emerging politicians often seek recognition and rewards through loyalty to the presidential administration on Bankova Street.

Crucially, Zelenskyy has cultivated a dedicated base of supporters who genuinely admire him and vigorously defend their idol against any criticism. When you suggest to these individuals that a potential dictatorship looms, they will twist their finger at their temple: what dictatorship? Zelenskyy is not like that!

Unfortunately, he is. It is not Marchenko and Kazanzhy who speak of the president's authoritarianism, but his own actions. It was Zelenskyy who summoned Smolii, the head of the National Bank, to Bankova street and kept him there until he resigned. It was Zelenskyy who initiated the United News telethon, where only he exclusively is praised. It was Zelenskyy who removed opposition TV channels from the airwaves. The list is very long and can be continued endlessly. I will only add that in a parliamentary republic, which we are according to the Constitution, the chairman of the parliament has fewer powers than not only the president, but even the head of his office.

“The danger of totalitarianism is not that Zelenskyy will rule forever and I will have to see him in office for the rest of my life, but in the ineffectiveness of totalitarian regimes.”

In 5-10 years, competent individuals in civil service will be gradually replaced by sycophants whose primary role is to cater to the leader. Ukraine and its welfare will take a back seat. It's not a good prospect.

This trend can only be reversed by business. Business has another 6 years to finance and build a middle-class party that will be the only one able to resist the dictatorship. Investing in politics is not an expense. It is an investment in the future of business. Under a dictatorship, all business will be semi-state and it will be much more expensive to feed the Office than its party.

*Zoya Kazanzhy is a Ukrainian journalist, international media trainer, public activist, writer, and blogger. Member of PEN Ukraine. Recently, she made a resonant Facebook post about her experiences and opinions regarding Ukraine’s current president.

Source

About the author: Serhiy Marchenko, labor market expert, blogger.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Friday
10 January
17:30
Putin guarantees gas deliveries to Slovakia, PM Fico claims
17:05
Halting Russian oil transit via Ukraine would violate EU pacts, Ukraine’s PM says
16:45
British Prime Minister Starmer to visit Kyiv in coming weeks
16:45
OPINION
On Canada, U.S., and Trump’s statements
16:21
Ukrainian forces target drone storage facility in Russia's Rostov region
16:18
Updated
Putin ready to meet with Trump without preconditions, Kremlin says. Ukraine responds
16:03
Understanding military operation in Kursk region: expert’s perspective
15:45
Trump's special envoy Kellogg postpones his visit to Kyiv 'for legal reasons'
15:09
Mi-24 helicopters donated by North Macedonia spotted in Ukraine
14:49
Updated
Zelenskyy in Italy meets PM Meloni and President Mattarella: Key topics discussed
14:33
Exclusive
U.S. stance on Ukraine to be shaped after Putin-Trump meeting - official
14:11
Russian aviation – threat to NATO: Su-24 fleet, capabilities, losses
13:50
EU transfers first €3 billion from G7 loan to Ukraine
13:26
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces in Kursk region limit Russian advances, inflicting heavy losses — military expert
13:00
Exclusive
Russian troops attempt to breach defenses to advance toward Siversk - Ukrainian commander
12:38
Exclusive
Russia to keep pressuring Ukraine's defenses despite reaching its peak capabilities - military expert
12:17
German chancellor blocks €3 billion weapon allocation for Ukraine - Spiegel
11:59
Japan imposes new sanctions on Russia, North Korea, China
11:41
Trump announces plans to meet with Putin - media
11:20
Review
Ramstein meeting: security agreements, troop deployment in Ukraine. Serhiy Zgurets’ column
10:58
161 combat clashes take place at frontline on Jan.9: Ukrainian troops stopped 42 attacks in Pokrovsk direction
10:39
Drone strikes spark fires in Russia’s Leningrad, Rostov regions
10:20
Russian troops capture 3 settlements in Donetsk region, 3 in Kursk
10:03
Updated
Russian drone fragments hit high-rise building in Kyiv, damaging dozens apartments
09:46
Umerov reports on 25th Ramstein: 6 countries to provide military aid to Ukraine
09:24
Russia loses 1,830 soldiers, 3 air defense systems, 10 tanks in day of war in Ukraine
2025, Thursday
9 January
21:30
Russia's attack on Zaporizhzhia causes highest civilian casualties in two years - UN mission
21:15
Exclusive
Russia loses fuel for strategic aviation after drones damage Engels oil depot
20:58
Exclusive
Penalties, export bans kill Ukraine's defense industry - MP Yanchenko
20:41
Exclusive
War for Arctic, Antarctic: diplomat on Trump's statements on Greenland
20:25
OPINION
Zelenskyy explains civilizational difference between Ukraine and Russia
20:08
IRIS-T air defense system
Germany to donate 6 IRIS-T systems to Ukraine in 2025
19:51
United Kingdom, allies to provide Ukraine with 30,000 drones
19:34
Exclusive
Russia struggles to replenish resources despite limitless supplies of men
19:15
OPINION
Trump: realist who knows the world isn’t Hollywood movie
18:58
Russia steps up mobilization in occupied Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions - intelligence
18:41
New law allows military reinstatement after AWOL until March 1
18:25
Exclusive
'Negotiating trick': expert on Trump's statements on Canada, Greenland, Panama
18:06
Ukraine recognizes genocide of Circassian people by Russian Empire
17:50
Updated
Zelenskyy calls for deployment of partner contingents in Ukraine
More news