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Ukrainian reformers and the West is already starting to establish a connection with the campaign Zelensky.
Zelensky leads the ranking / photo UNIAN
Ukrainian presidential elections are a difficult choice for those who want to see how a country with 44 million inhabitants will complete what you started in 2014. Unfortunately, all reliable polls indicate that the experienced candidates-be reformers no chance to win.
Former defense Minister Anatoly Gritsenko now support approximately 8% of the electorate, and the mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadovy – only 4%. It is unlikely that any of them will significantly increase this figure over the next six weeks. About this article for the Atlantic Council says the former head of one of the divisions of the European Commission and analyst of international relations in Brussels, Willem Aldershoff.
Two candidates with experience in Ukrainian politics have a chance to go through the first round: Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. However, their reform record is poor. The fact that for the first time Poroshenko was implemented important reforms, however. But they were mostly of economic nature. It is also true that Poroshenko promised justice and society rule of law after the revolution on the Maidan. And here he endured great failure.
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Poroshenko actively undermined efforts to dismantle the Ukrainian oligarchic system, blocking the real reform of justice, an effective anti-corruption measures and electoral reform. No member of the inner circle of former President Viktor Yanukovych was accused of robbing the country. Almost no funds were returned, and none of those who played a key role in the horrible murders on the Maidan, have not been convicted. Tymoshenko will always be associated with questionable means of wealth accumulation at the beginning of her career. The years when she was Prime Minister, too, was not marked by reforms.
Surveys show that comedian Vladimir Zelensky has a good chance to get to the second round of elections. Easy to call him a buffoon who made millions by mocking the Ukrainian political problems, put naive, though, and friendly guy or insincere schemer who dances to the tune of one of the oligarchs.
But a serious analysis of his contribution draws another picture. His show “Kvartal 95” has a long tradition of sharp and profound criticism of the Ukrainian absolutely unfair political system that began long before the Maidan. He constantly criticized Russia’s aggression in Crimea and Donbas, ridiculing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky donated part of the money earned in Russia, Ukrainians who are fighting in the Donbass. Because of this, the Russian authorities opened a criminal case against him. In his popular television series “servant of the people” he and his team show masterful understanding of how Ukrainian corrupt system operates and before any fundamental ailments appeared country. There is nothing naive in how they describe the desires and actions of the powerful oligarchs and the poor.
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According to the author, it is no exaggeration to say that Zelensky shows a deep patriotism. It clearly follows how he and his colleagues are working with the concerns of ordinary Ukrainians in the show “Kvartal 95”, which was screened across the country. One only has to see the reaction of the audience. Young and old, people of all religions, which are in Ukraine, moved to tears, when Zelensky and his actors sing touching songs such as “Hold me, Motherland” or “I don’t understand, dad.”
Zelensky critics see two problems in his potential presidency: his political inexperience and close to the oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. The first is clear. But should the lack of experience disqualify him immediately? Strong inexperienced leader who correctly assesses the situation of their country, surround yourself with a team of knowledgeable and experienced advisers.
Some argue that there is a connection between Kolomoisky and Zelensky, because the series of the comedian broadcasts the TV channel “1+1”, which belongs to oligarch. “Quarter 95” moved here after the left channel of another oligarch Dmitry Firtash. Every popular TV channels in Ukraine, and most major companies belong to the oligarchs. Do all their employees have achievable connection with the owners? Even if something exists, it would be hard to believe that Poroshenko and Tymoshenko do not support such a relationship too. For example, there is a lot of speculation that relies Kolomoisky and Tymoshenko, supporting her candidacy. But as in Ukraine, everything is done through cash, which is untraceable, such relationships are almost impossible to confirm.
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The main Ukrainian candidates recently sat down with the anti-corruption organizations and explained their views. Zelensky was on top. He wants to clear the Prosecutor to restart the organization, checking the income declarations of officials, and take away the SBU anti-corruption authority. In contrast, Poroshenko even showed up to talk about corruption, and the Tymoshenko promised anything.
The choice for Ukrainian reformers is clear: the only chance to turn Ukraine into a country without the decisive role of the oligarchs, with real democratic institutions and law, which will apply to all, is through the election of Zelensky. To increase its chances of winning, reformers should Express and explain their support. It will also allow them to establish trust with the candidate and ensure that he will choose his advisors when the time comes.
At the same time, the EU and the US should begin to build behind-the-scenes contacts with the campaign Zelensky. A stable, prosperous and democratic Ukraine is not only what we want Ukrainians, but also a critical interest in the West.