Five hopes for Zelensky - President of Ukraine

After the crushing defeat of Petro Poroshenko in the presidential election, social networks are filled with emotions: from the anger and despair of some to the joy and euphoria of others. Supporters of the current president, including many intellectuals and moral authorities, paint a dark picture of the future of Ukraine under the presidency of Vladimir Zelensky.

Фото: Depositphotos

BBC News Ukraine asked the experts to predict what, in their opinion, there could be advantages from Zelensky’s activities as head of state?

Their assessments, of course, are based on hypothetical assumptions, because there are many risks, and it is still unknown what reforms the newly elected president will give, and who and how they will implement them.

New man in politics, reformatting of the Ukrainian political system, the emergence of new elites

Most experts interviewed by BBC News Ukraine believe that the election of a person from outside the existing political system to the post of president will lead to a change in elites and the emergence of “fresh blood” in government bodies. And the result would have been the same regardless of who won—Vladimir Zelensky or another “non-systemic” candidate.

“A new, unsystematic person in power is the first and biggest plus. This means that he does not have those old practices of “resolving issues” that have been preserved in Ukrainian politics for 30 years. That is, he will not be able to work in the old way, because he needs to learn this, and he will not have time,” says Viktor Androsov, a political scientist, executive director of the Ukrainian Institute of the Future and a supporter of Vladimir Zelensky, in a commentary to BBC News Ukraine.

“The main plus is that we managed to shake up the Ukrainian political elite, which is personified by President Poroshenko. People, without supporting the old elite, showed with their voices that despite the correctness of the statements and intentions, the actions did not produce the desired results for a significant number of Ukrainians. And this is a signal to the entire political elite, and not just Petro Poroshenko,” says political scientist Valery Klochok.

A high level of support gives legitimacy to action and to reduce dependence on oligarchs.

Фото: Depositphotos

“High public support is a big plus. At least he (Vladimir Zelensky. - Ed.) will have unconditional legitimacy to make important decisions. Having received more than 70% of trust, he can directly appeal to the Verkhovna Rada and put pressure on parliament. It is likely that his team will try to implement reforms that were not implemented by the previous president,” says political scientist Pyotr Oleshchuk.

“Although, of course, now the biggest problem is that we actually don’t know for sure what to expect from Vladimir Zelensky. Also, much will depend on the environment - where it will direct him. It is quite possible that in the near future everything will turn into a struggle within influence groups and, accordingly, this will reduce the effectiveness of the president,” the political scientist adds in a commentary to BBC News Ukraine.

“Vladimir Zelensky is the first president who does not need large channels to communicate with voters. His Internet resources and network of supporters are so large that he will calmly convey his ideas and plans without using oligarchic channels. This means that the oligarchs will not be able to blackmail him with their media resources, as they did with others,” says Viktor Androsov from the Ukrainian Institute of the Future.

Foreign policy towards the EU and NATO is unlikely to change

It was precisely the threat of a revision of the course towards accession to the EU and NATO, started by Petro Poroshenko, that many associated with the coming to power of Vladimir Zelensky. However, at least the last weeks have shown that the newly elected president does not abandon these intentions.

“The foreign policy course will remain the same. Ukraine will not stray from the path of integration into the European Union and NATO. In public statements, Vladimir Zelensky supports this; the Western vector was visualized by his trip to France. Therefore, there will be no critical situation, the visa-free regime will remain,” says Valery Klochok.

“If the list of the country’s actions in foreign policy is clearly declared, and these actions are put into practice, then the name of the president – ​​Poroshenko or Zelensky – will not matter to Western partners,” says political scientist Pyotr Onischuk.

Political observer Olga Musafirova notes that before the second round of elections, Vladimir Zelensky made several statements that give reason to believe that he does not intend to change Ukraine’s pro-European course and considers Vladimir Putin an enemy of Ukraine. “And the transformation of declarations of intent into actions will be controlled by the media and civil society institutions,” she adds.

Never earned on a budget, has a successful team building experience.

Some experts attribute his dissimilarity to the traditional Ukrainian politicians, long immersed in power structures, to the positive qualities of Vladimir Zelensky.

Фото: Depositphotos

“Zelensky’s business, which he himself built, is completely independent of the state budget. Therefore, his presidency cannot be aimed at personal enrichment,” says Viktor Androsov.

The political scientist also considers the successful experience of creating a team that has not changed for years to be positive: “He knows how to build teamwork. All this is very important for policy and reform.”

Consolidation of national-patriotic forces, the emergence of a constructive opposition

Experts also believe that Vladimir Zelensky may become an “irritant” for the emergence of a constructive opposition in Ukraine and the unification of those who will be ready to defend the achievements of previous years.

“The only plus from Vladimir Zelensky’s coming to power that I see now is another mobilization of patriotic forces to counter the creeping pro-Russian revenge in Ukraine. Zelensky’s victory should mobilize that part of society that believes that the defense of national statehood is a priority. And the newly elected president is a very good irritant for this,” says political scientist Mikhail Basarab.

Political observer Olga Musafirova notes that until now the word “opposition” in Ukraine was mainly associated with “enemies”, “revanchists” and had a negative connotation.

Perhaps for the first time in modern history, she says, a constructive opposition will emerge, “parliamentary or even extra-parliamentary, and its leader may be, having learned a hard lesson in mistrust, Petro Poroshenko.”

“His international authority, experience and connections in the political, diplomatic, business and military circles of the US and EU can play the role of the so-called “second wing of the plane.” However, as the practice of many European democratic states shows, the opposition is simply the previous government, which can also become the future government,” Olga Musafirova notes in a commentary to BBC News Ukraine.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• The British publication The Times announced that the team of the newly elected President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky flew in to Washington and met with Trump's headquarters.
• Here as Vladimir Zelensky himself responded to win after these exit polls. Here is the reaction of Petro Poroshenko.
• 10 facts about Zelensky: when and where he was born, how he made his career, what assets he owns and how long he intends to hold the presidency. In this news - facts about his wife Elena, the future first lady of Ukraine.
• Information that publishes an Israeli press about Zelenskywho found his Jewish roots.
• "From D'Artagnan to the Servant of the People": what films did Zelensky star in

Read also on ForumDaily:

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Putin refused to congratulate Zelensky with an election victory

Plunder and assistance to criminals: the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine called Poroshenko’s associates for questioning

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