Protesters shouted slogans and carried placards with just one word for their leader: “Shame!”. For the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukrainians abandoned “national unity” and took to the streets to protest against President Volodymyr Zelensky. They were not demonstrating against the ongoing, grinding war, even though war has beggared their nation, ruined cities, families and border areas.
One-third of Ukraine’s 35 million people have fled. Those who remain are battle-weary. But not weary enough to forsake a fight against their president’s new “authoritarian law” that “weakens” the nation’s anti-corruption institutions. Zelensky placed two hitherto independent bodies under the control of the prosecutor general appointed by him. He argues that this will prevent Russian spies from infiltrating the agencies. But activists accuse Zelensky of snuffing investigations against his corrupt cronies.
Critics say the new law, rushed through parliament with unusual secrecy and speed (in less than 24 hours), was a blast from the past, resembling Ukraine’s notorious “dictatorship laws” that gave their erstwhile pro-Russia leaders overarching powers. Ukraine had a bad track record for corruption due to its legacy of oligarchic rule during the Soviet era. The bad old ways continued long after the Soviet Union collapsed. In 2017, Ukraine was even lower than Russia in Transparency International’s corruption index. Comedian-turned president Zelensky won elections on his clean image. Corruption was brought down considerably, but it now shows an uptick in areas like defence procurement.
The Kyiv Independent alleges that Zelensky’s law aims to neuter corruption cases against his inner circle. This includes Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov, accused of real estate corruption, abuse of power and bribery involving Rs240 crore. Activists believe that the law is part of Zelensky’s anti-democratic campaign that includes crackdown on independent media and government critics.
Zelensky’s law was roundly condemned by his key ally, the European Union. “Our current financial assistance to Ukraine is conditional on transparency, judicial reforms and democratic governance. The same is true concerning Ukraine’s path towards EU accession....,” says Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU economy commissioner.
Criticism by the G7, EU and Britain compelled Zelensky to signal willingness to dilute his reviled law. Protesters want the law vetoed but his parliamentarians appear reluctant to make any concessions, allegedly afraid of becoming targets of anti-corruption “witch-hunts”. People inside and outside Ukraine are beginning to see an alternative leader to Zelensky: Kyiv’s mayor and former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko. Popular and personable, he is transforming the capital with his anti-corruption crusade.
For Zelensky, the worst optics were images of the war-wounded protesting alongside the demonstrators. Soldiers said military leaders ordered them to avoid demonstrations and posting criticism on social media. But many came out in full uniform to protest. A double amputee at the rally near the president’s office held a sign that read: “We are fighting for Ukraine, not your impunity.” Another one was equally scathing: “The front line stands, the back line falls.” It summed up the dark public mood: soldiers lose life and limb, politicians gain perks and pelf. Disaffection brews even in faraway war trenches. Yehor Firsov, a demoralised MP and drone operator, says Zelensky is showing callous disregard for public opinion, “daring us, ‘What can you do?’”. He is losing hope. “We ask ourselves,” he says, “Why fight any more?”
In democracies, wartime presidents have limited shelf life. The rise and fall of Winston Churchill, Zelensky’s role model, is a case in point.
Pratap is an author and journalist.