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Ukraine is much freer and more democratic than Russia. But the war also damaged Ukrainian democracy.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of citizens took up arms to defend the country. Members of the national parliament had to tackle a less dangerous but equally important task. «Our laws were not made for times of war. “We therefore had to adapt countless regulations to the new situation – for example in the healthcare system or education,” says Yulia Klymenko from the liberal opposition party Holos.
And she immediately adds an example. Before the war, a maximum of 27 students were allowed to sit in a class. Nothing more was allowed. But suddenly there were many refugees from the occupied territories and the combat zones. “So we had to increase the maximum class size to 41.”
We continue to agree when it comes to the pro-Western course and support for the front and for the army.”
There was great unity in parliament in the first year after the start of the war, says the economist, who was once deputy economics minister and rector of a Kiev university. After a while there were controversial discussions again. “Especially when it comes to economic policy, ideas sometimes differ greatly. Across party lines. However, we still agree when it comes to the pro-Western course and support for the front and for the army.
Challenge to democracy
The Ukrainian parliament is dominated by the presidential “Servant of the People” party. Zelensky’s people have an absolute majority. There are also several opposition parties, both left and right. There have always been different power blocs in Ukraine over the past decades. Expressing one’s opinion is part of the country’s political culture.
But the war damaged diversity of opinion and therefore also democracy. “There is almost no free media left, because under martial law all the major television channels have been merged into one station,” says Klymenko. “As an opposition politician, I have no opportunity to appear there. This is only possible for Zelensky’s people.”
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The opposition politician says that political life has practically come to a standstill. All political events are banned due to martial law. “For example, I can’t meet my constituents or hold meetings.” Image: Klymenko (far right) with Ukrainian parliamentarians at the WEF in Davos in 2022.
Keystone/Gian Ehrenzeller
Ukrainians should actually elect a new president in 2024. But Zelensky has already made it clear: there will be no ballot. For safety reasons. Zelensky will remain in office for the time being.
Klymenko supports this decision. “The only person who can win such a presidential election is Zelensky. Why spend a lot of money to re-elect him?” That doesn’t make any sense. “But later, when we have free media again, freedom of assembly, when we can meet our voters and, above all, when the security of the election can be guaranteed, then we should vote.”
I’m not even sure whether Zelensky will run again after the war. He’ll probably be happy if he can retreat to a spa hotel and drink a beer in peace.
The war has put Ukrainian democracy into pause mode, so to speak. The situation is not yet critical, says Klymenko. «We’re still getting along at the moment. There are still discussions and debates in Parliament. But if the war lasts several more years, then we have to go back to democratic standards.”
And what the opposition politician also believes: President Zelensky is not the type who will cling to power. «I think he is very tired of the war. I’m not even sure if he’ll run again after the war. He’ll probably be happy if he can retreat to a spa hotel and drink a beer in peace.”