An open-ended rally was announced on December 1, but is society ready for new street protests?
Activists consider Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Andriy Yermak to be traitors. Photo: collage “Today”
On the evening of December 1, two protest actions against President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky… Will there be a continuation “street politics”?
What happened
The rallies, which began on the Independence Square and moved to Bankovaia, were attended by party supporters “European solidarity” and “Voice”as well as activists of organizations “National Corps” and “Democratic ax”… Demonstrators demanded resignation of the president and Head of his Office Andrey Ermak, as well as the dissolution of the Verkhovna Rada. Earlier, Vladimir Zelensky said that on this day allegedly planned “coup”.
Protesters ridiculed the president’s statement, naming their action “Defend Ukraine – Stop the Coup” and named this date “Happy provocateur”… About 2 thousand protesters marched from Independence Square to the President’s Office with placards: “Ukraine does not tolerate betrayal”, “Which oligarch pays “I serve” in envelopes?” and “Ermak to Siberia”.
The protest action also took part ex-NSDC secretary Alexander Turchinov, who said that the threat of a coup comes from Bankova, and the President’s Office is mired in total corruption. Attended the rally and journalist Yuri Butusov, quarreled with the president Zelensky at his press marathon on November 26.
“The President blamed me for the loss of life. So, one of these days I submit lawsuit against Zelensky… To answer to the people for his lies”, – said Butusov.
Outside the President’s Office, protesters chanted: “”Impeachment” and “Zelyu Away”, after which they threw small change at the building and left Bankovaya.
The protesters named this day “Happy provocateur”… Photo: Liga.net
Why did the stock break out?
Protesters took up arms against Zelenskiy and his head of office for two reasons – a scandal with a detention operation “Wagnerians” and the intention of the head of state to try to resolve the Donbass issue with Vladimir Putin during direct negotiations.
The participants of the action called the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine “mole”, allegedly leaking information about its preparation to Russia. Recall dismissal of Ermakwas the main demand of the previous rally, which took place immediately after the release of Bellingcat’s investigation into the Wagnerites.
What did you plan
The opposition and nationalist organizations hoped that the scandal over the failure of the detention operation “Wagnerians” “blow up” society and people will take to the streets en masse.
“As conceived by the organizers, this topic was supposed to become a kind of trigger”, – is talking “Today” political scientist Alexey Yakubin.
Agrees with him political scientist Igor Petrenko.
“Wagnergate” could become a reason to spur those dissatisfied with the authorities to protest. But the protest was short”, – the expert tells us.
Alexey Yakubin: “This topic was supposed to be a trigger” / Photo: Facebook
Where is the perpetual promotion
Oleksiy Yakubin notes that many Ukrainian citizens have become disillusioned with the past and current government.
“Now they are wary of “Maidan” and they think: “but won’t it be worse after a new revolution?” – says Yakubin.
Political scientist Vadim Karasev the purpose of the action is different.
“It is not spontaneous “Maidan”… The purpose of the action is to put pressure on the authorities if they do not respond to criticism in parliament. But on the other hand, the past “Maidan” also did not immediately become widespread”- says Karasev.
Igor Petrenko: “The main organizers were the old politicians” / Photo: Facebook
Dissatisfaction with Zelensky is growing
According to political scientists, Ukrainians disappointed in Zelensky due to the lack of implementation of his promises.
According to a poll by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology, 58.2% of Ukrainians no longer support Zelensky’s nomination for a second term, and the presidential party “Servant of the people” for the first time since its inception in 2019 lost in the rating “European solidarity”… Poroshenko’s political force came out on top, gaining 17.1% of support among respondents. A “Servant of the people” received only 15%.
58.2% of Ukrainians do not support Zelensky’s nomination for a second term / Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
What will happen next
The complete lack of reaction to the protesters could provoke more massive rallies.
“If the government does not fulfill its obligations and does not respond to criticism from society, street politics is turned on.”, – explains Karasev.
Alexey Yakubin notes that the rallies will grow into a large-scale “Maidan” only if their topic causes a resonance in the whole society, and not only among individual political forces and organizations.
According to political analysts, the level of protest activity will increase closer to February, when issues of energy, tariffs, Donbass may unite, and, consequently, protest groups will also unite.
“In this case, we can expect more global actions and even demands for early parliamentary elections.”, – summed up Karasev.
Vadim Karasev: “The more there are dissatisfied with the authorities, the more often protests will take place” / Photo: Facebook
Bankova “defended herself”
Note that the next morning after the rallies, a New Year’s town began to be established near the President’s Office. Coincidence or no coincidence, but for the second year in a row, it is in the midst of protests on Bankova that New Year’s decorations appear, which easily play the role of “Yanukovych trees” on the Maidan.
So, on November 30, 2020 in the center of Kiev was held “tax Maidan” and a protest action of defrauded bank depositors “Arcade”… On the same morning, the territory of the President’s Office was fenced due to the installation New Year’s skating rink.
President’s office protected from protests with New Year’s houses / Photo: Telegram
December 1 protests
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Source From: Segodnya
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