“Ukrainians don’t care that there are no elections”: Oles Doniy on indifference to democracy, the risks of corruption and the Kremlin’s benefits
2 September 2025 02:22
OPINION
Oles Doniy, MP of the VI and VII convocations and head of the Center for Political Values, made a loud statement in an interview with [Komersant ] that neither the authorities nor the majority of citizens are concerned about the loss of democratic mechanisms in Ukraine. This trend, in his opinion, poses a serious threat not only to the state system, but also to the country’s defense capability in the face of war.
Oles Doniy emphasizes that the fact that the cancellation of elections does not cause outrage in society is evidence of a deep crisis in political culture:
“Democracy is not a value for Ukrainian society, which is a shame for me. According to sociology, most Ukrainians really don’t want elections, don’t think about them.”
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In his opinion, such passivity gives the authorities carte blanche to rule for an unlimited period of time. The politician draws attention to the possible scale of prolongation of authoritarian rule:
“The authorities have already decided to be in power for life. Just for life. As long as the bastard Putin is alive, it can last for another 13 years. Maybe a year, maybe 25. But on average, 13 years.”
And during this time, Doniy believes, elections can remain frozen without significant public resistance. According to Doniy, the disappearance of electoral pressure leads to the rotting of power and increased corruption, which directly harms defense capabilities:
“If the government does not feel the danger of elections, it rots from within. And this means increased corruption, embezzlement of resources that should go to the front and to win.”
The politician attributes the lack of electoral competition to the inhibition of changes necessary for effective resistance to Russia:
“This means that there will be no incentive for reforms – neither in mobilization, nor in the military-industrial complex, nor in approaches to the war against fascist Russia. The absence of democracy is a weakness.”
Doniy’s position reflects a critical attitude toward the current political course of the government and its support among the population. His assessment sounds like a warning: victory in the war is impossible without a strong, responsible and democratic state. And if Ukrainians do not demand this, the price may be not only freedom but also the very existence of the state.
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