Local self-governance is a right granted to every Ukrainian by the Constitution, and Kyivans have been deprived of exercising this right for a long time. The last elected mayor resigned over a year ago, leaving Popov at the helm. The city council’s powers ran out in June.
But there is no election date in sight. Backed by the Constitutional Court, Ukraine’s authorities are sabotaging the election. Disorganized opposition does not help, either. Even in the best-case scenario the date of election can be set no earlier than autumn, because the parliament (which sets the date) reconvenes in September.
But there will be no best-case scenario. The previous attempt to set the date failed, partly because of the actions (and inaction) of the opposition. But the real problem is that the government fears an election in Kyiv.
During the parliamentary election in October, the city voted against the Party of Regions candidates in majority constituencies and supported the opposition in the proportional vote. This was a taste of what would come if a legitimate election is held. Losing control over Kyiv would be a major blow for the ruling elite, and the fact that the city council and the mayor’s office would be paralyzed if it’s controlled by the opposition, would be no consolation.
Iryna Gerashchenko, a parliament deputy from the oppositional Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR), who was inside the city council, said on her Facebook page that there was heated debate as pro-government opponents of elections ridiculed the residents’ choice of mayor and said the capital does not need an election, so it won’t happen.
But the basic rights of all citizens are no joking matter. This is the skeleton that holds all of the political muscles in place, be they the government or the opposition.
Members of the civic society, who drove the blocking of the city council on July 11 to prevent it from convening, are commendable in their attempt to make the same point. They had a tactical victory as Halyna Gerega, head of the city council, announced that the illegitimate city council session would not be open – at least for now. We support the actions of those who fight for the right of self-government, sometimes even literally. Kyiv needs elections – it’s that simple.
