Editor’s Note: After President Volodymyr Zelensky dissolved the Ukrainian parliament in May, he ordered a snap election to be held on July 21. The Kyiv Post asked people if they follow the election news, if they plan to vote, and what they expect from the new parliament.
Yulia Kleom,
artist
“I will vote. I’ve recently started paying attention (to news) more than I used to. Right now, big changes are happening, something that people didn’t expect. It became more interesting. I think people realized that they have an actual right to vote.”
Mykhailo Yakovchuk,
entrepreneur
“I will vote. However, I haven’t decided yet what party to favor. I don’t want to vote for anybody (who’s running) including the president’s party. I am in my 50s, I know many people (running for parliament) and I don’t see any good in any of them.”
Mykyta Toliashvili,
graduate student
“I will not vote and I do not keep track of the news. I have other priorities for now: exams, graduation. In order to vote, you need to be aware of everything that’s happening in the political world. I do not want to be guided by someone else’s opinion.”
Lidiia Kryvorot,
accountant
“I will vote for (Ihor) Smeshko’s Strength and Honor party. I think something will change for the better. I believe in the new parliament and the president. And I wish that we, as a European country, become truly worthy to be among other countries in Europe.”
Yaroslav Kureza,
ambulance doctor
“I will vote. During the last few weeks, I have been following the political news with less intensity because the political games, quite dirty games, have begun, and I don’t like it. People who lost (2019 presidential election) don’t know how to lose. I hope that the new parliament brings change. This is the only option to restart the system.”
Nataliia Marusiiva,
retiree
“I will vote. I do not expect anything good from these elections. People who are not spoiled by politics should be in parliament.”
Oksana Adamenko,
bank employee
“I believe that the dissolution of the parliament was unconstitutional. I believe that Zelenskiy is not the president that Ukraine needs – he is not a patriot. I voted for Poroshenko and I will vote for the European Solidarity. This is my principled position as a Ukrainian. I hope that the Constitutional Court will decide that the dissolution of the parliament is unconstitutional.”
Artur Sierhieiev,
athlete
“I won’t vote, as I have a vacation at that time, I will be abroad. It is unlikely that a new parliament will bring change to the country. But I would have voted for the Servant of the People.”
