Zelensky’s democratic rule in Ukraine anything but

Zelensky’s democratic rule in Ukraine anything but Volodymyr Zelensky sure has a bizarre way of practicing democracy in Ukraine. His presidential term ended May 20, but he decided to stay in office by cancelling presidential elections. He also cancelled elections for the Ukrainian Parliament Rada. How’d he do that? He declared martial law which, under the Ukraine Constitution, prohibits holding elections. Since most of Ukraine is not a war zone, martial law is unnecessary. To keep martial law in perpetuity, Zelensky has refused to negotiate peace with Russia, claiming the war will continue till he returns all Russian held land, including Crimea, to Ukraine. No end to war…no end to martial law, no elections. Pretty neat way to .stay in charge, especially since popular Ukrainian General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, whom Zelensky fired as military commander, would have clobbered Zelensky had he held elections But Volodymyr has gone further in his degrading democracy in Ukraine. He’s shut down Ukrainian churches presumed to be aligned with Russia, consolidated all media into one pro government platform and banned opposition political parties. Here in America, many progressives give undying support to Volodymyr Zelensky as the democratic Churchill of the 21st century representing a beacon of democracy. Zelensky appears to be following more in the footsteps of a failed 20th century painter with a funny mustache. Walt’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.