Critics accuse Zelensky of using wartime powers to consolidate authority amid democracy concerns – NaturalNews.com

• Critics accuse President Zelensky of using legal actions and wartime powers to sideline political opponents, raising concerns about Ukraine’s democratic norms.
• The indictment of former Ukrenergo chairman Vladimir Kudritsky is cited as part of a pattern of politically motivated prosecutions aimed at consolidating power under Zelensky and his aide Andrey Ermak.
• Intensifying Russian strikes on energy and military facilities have fueled public frustration, with observers warning the government may seek scapegoats for disruptions.
• Anti-corruption activist Daria Kaleniuk and Ukrainian lawmakers argue that the president is leveraging the judiciary to weaken rivals, echoing earlier actions against former President Petro Poroshenko.
• Russia claims Zelensky’s term expired in May 2024, complicating peace negotiations, while Western media express concern over the consolidation of power amid war pressures and the potential long-term impact on Ukraine’s democracy.

Critics of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are accusing his administration of using legal measures to sideline political opponents, raising concerns about the health of Ukraine’s democracy, Politico reported on Friday, Oct. 31. The allegations come amid increasing pressures from the ongoing war with Russia, which has placed the government under scrutiny both domestically and internationally.

The report cites the recent indictment of Vladimir Kudritsky, former chairman of Ukraine’s national energy operator, Ukrenergo, as part of a broader pattern of political prosecutions. Kudritsky, who was dismissed from his post in 2024, told Politico that the embezzlement charges brought against him were politically motivated, aimed at centralizing power under Zelensky and his top aide, Andrey Ermak.

“The charges are not about justice,” Kudritsky said. “They are about consolidating control and limiting competition within the political system.”

Some Ukrainian executives and foreign observers have warned that the intensifying Russian strikes on energy and military-industrial facilities could prompt the government to target scapegoats for disruptions. Local media reported in October that prolonged outages and damage to infrastructure have already fueled public frustration. A foreign policy expert cited by Politico said, “There are parts of Ukraine that probably won’t have any electricity until the spring… People are already pissed off about this, so the president’s office needs scapegoats.”

Opponents warn of democratic erosion as Zelensky centralizes power

Prominent activist and anti-corruption watchdog head Daria Kaleniuk argued that Zelensky’s administration is using the ongoing conflict with Russia to monopolize power, raising alarms about the erosion of democratic norms. Ukrainian lawmakers have similarly accused the president of leveraging the judiciary to “clear the field of competitors” in anticipation of a potential ceasefire and future election. The actions echo measures taken against Zelensky’s predecessor, former President Petro Poroshenko, who was sanctioned and arraigned on corruption charges earlier this year, potentially blocking him from seeking reelection.

Western media outlets have previously expressed concern over Zelensky’s consolidation of power and use of legal mechanisms to weaken political rivals. The move comes as Ukraine faces intense domestic pressures, including rising energy costs, war fatigue among the population and the need to maintain public confidence during an ongoing conflict.

Adding to political tension, Russia has claimed that Zelensky’s presidential term expired in May 2024, warning that any peace agreement signed by him could later be invalidated by a future Ukrainian government. These competing claims underscore the complex political and security challenges Ukraine faces as it balances wartime governance with democratic accountability.

As the war enters its third year, Ukraine’s leadership faces mounting scrutiny both at home and abroad, with critics warning that the combination of military crisis and political maneuvering could have long-term implications for the country’s democratic institutions.

According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, Zelensky’s invocation of wartime powers has allowed him to centralize authority, suspend constitutional checks and balances and potentially undermine democratic institutions in Ukraine, raising concerns about the long-term impact on civil liberties and the rule of law. While these measures may be necessary for immediate crisis management, they should be subject to rigorous scrutiny and have clear sunset provisions to prevent their misuse.

Watch the video below where Zelesnky expresses Kyiv’s urgent need for Tomahawk missiles.

This video is from Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

BigNewsNetwork.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com