To storm with a mandate: why Zelensky threatens Rada deputies with being sent to the front

Internal political problems are getting worse in Ukraine — several dozen deputies of the rada want to resign their mandate. In response, Vladimir Zelensky threatens to send all refuseniks to the front. Izvestia investigated the situation.

What happened

The parliamentary crisis in Ukraine is becoming more and more noticeable. Firstly, dozens of deputies refuse to work and dream of resigning their mandate. Andrei Motovilovets, deputy head of the Servant of the People faction, said that 40 MPs want to resign at once, fearing persecution by anti-corruption authorities.

In turn, MP Alexander Yurchenko said that 50-60 colleagues, including representatives of the ruling party, have already written letters of resignation.

"A long cadence, something is not satisfied there, tired, low salary — 50 thousand hryvnias [90 thousand rubles]. The reasons are different," he explained.

Secondly, there are more and more difficulties in the session hall. In February, Rada did not work for almost the entire month due to a strange mass poisoning. At that time, it was reported that dozens of people came down with diarrhea, vomiting and fever due to spoiled food in the local canteen. Later, however, inspections of the food store revealed no violations.

In March, the deputies failed to adopt several key documents at once. The most significant was the fate of the bill on taxation of digital platforms. With a constitutional strength of 450 deputies, only 299 people took part in the voting. 168 deputies voted in favor, with 226 required.

This is the second attempt by the Rada to adopt this document this year. The International Monetary Fund called the approval of the bill the main condition for the allocation of a new loan to Ukraine in the amount of $ 8.1 billion. At the same time, economists said that without this money, the country would face a "financial tragedy" this spring.

As a result, the vote failed, the IMF transferred the first part of the loan in the amount of $1.5 billion anyway, but demanded to approve the law by the end of March. At the same time, the head of the Ukrainian government, Yulia Sviridenko, reported that it was unlikely to be possible to meet the new deadlines, because the votes in the rada would not be collected anyway.

What are the reasons?

I must say that problems have arisen in the parliament for a long time. By September last year, fewer than 400 out of 450 deputies remained in Parliament. At the same time, it was reported that several dozen more were ready to resign their mandates.

The reasons were obvious. Many in the rada complained about the loss of any independence. All decisions were made in Zelensky's office, while deputies were only asked to approve ready-made documents. In such conditions, the "fodder base" has also decreased, that is, the opportunities for corruption and lobbying.

Many deputies also faced additional difficulties. For example, to leave the country, you need to get permission from Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, who often refuses to coordinate trips. Finally, there are problems with legality, because the current convocation of the rada has been working beyond the deadline for more than two years.

Now new problems have accumulated. First, in November last year, Zelensky dismissed the head of his office, Andrei Ermak. He played a key role in the selection of personnel, the management of internal political processes, including interaction with the Rada. Without his participation, the previous schemes began to fail.

Secondly, the deputies are facing the threat of a large-scale anti-corruption trial. The fact is that in December, a special NABU body reported the exposure of a criminal group that included five people's deputies. They presumably provided the "necessary" voting results. Numerous recordings of conversations allegedly contain the voices of other MPs.

All this led to a kind of parliamentary strike. At the same time, Vladimir Zelensky does not hide his irritation with what is happening.

"People's deputies will either have to serve in accordance with the law, or I am ready to discuss the law on changes in mobilization so that they can go to the front," he said.

Zelensky also complained about the intractability of the parliamentary opposition. "Even according to laws that are not sharp, it takes a long time to convince in order to demonstrate the unity that is so often talked about. The situation needs to be corrected, and actions are needed in addition to words. I will talk to the head of the mono—majority," he promised.

Here I must say that Zelensky's threats look strange. It is difficult to imagine that MPs would voluntarily vote for a law that would allow them to be mobilized. In addition, if the current elected representatives are sent to the front, the country will have to recruit a new parliament somewhere, and elections are prohibited under martial law in Ukraine.

According to one opinion, the deputies' strike is actually taking place with Zelensky's knowledge. He allegedly also opposes the wishes of the IMF and other Western structures, which, among other things, demand to strengthen anti-corruption structures that have long been attacking the Ukrainian leader's entourage. Zelensky himself cannot declare his position, so he sabotages the instructions with the hands of the rada, and pretends to be outraged.

According to another version, the problem for the Ukrainian leader is really serious. Against the background of constant criticism of the Kiev authorities by the current American administration, protest tendencies are also intensifying inside the country. The opposition is gaining strength and, after several years of lull, has begun to harshly criticize Zelensky, while representatives of the pro-presidential faction anticipate an imminent crisis and withdraw.

What the experts say

Vladimir Zelensky is seriously concerned about the dysfunctionality of the rada, according to political analyst Alexander Semchenko.

— He needs a functioning parliament to legitimize decisions and put instructions in the form of laws. I think it's difficult to carry out threats to mobilize deputies. But Zelensky has the SBU and the prosecutor's office in his hands, so many parliamentarians face criminal prosecution," he argues.

Under these conditions, a real opposition is maturing in the parliament, the expert adds. According to rumors, Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk is establishing contacts with Petro Poroshenko, which in the future may lead to Zelensky's resignation.

— Firstly, the constitution prescribes a fairly simple procedure for removal from power for health reasons. Secondly, the head of the regime's term of office has expired long ago. In 2023, the heads of the factions signed an agreement that they would not raise this issue. But nothing prevents them from withdrawing their signatures and making accusations of usurpation of power," Semchenko emphasizes.

The onset of the parliamentary crisis in Ukraine is also confirmed by former Verkhovna Rada deputy Spiridon Kilinkarov.

— The pro-presidential majority actually no longer exists. More than 40 deputies want to resign their mandates, in violation of the existing rules, Speaker Stefanchuk does not sign these statements. This is a very serious challenge for Zelensky. Ukraine is a parliamentary-presidential republic, and most laws and decisions are passed by the Parliament. I think in such circumstances, Zelensky's pressure on the deputies will increase," he believes.