Volodymyr Zelensky probably doesn’t like playing chess. Otherwise, he wouldn’t say there’s no time to think strategically.
Because if this wise game teaches anything, it’s that every move has consequences. And the game isn’t over until the very end — impressive moves “now” won’t escape a challenging “later” if you don’t think ahead.
Today marks the anniversary of the debates at the stadium. “Stadium, so stadium,” said Petro Poroshenko back then, realizing the opponents were setting a trap. To the opponents’ surprise, Poroshenko’s supporters came on their own, in numbers significantly surpassing the “mobilization” by Zelensky’s team. Even tricks with sound during the broadcast didn’t help turn the debates into a triumph for the “new hero.”
However, the joint game of Russia and the oligarchic channels had already done its job. Zelensky got the chance to build the country of his “dreams.” Even the parliamentary majority — the first since the communists — was secured for him by the voters.
But perhaps there was something wrong with the dream, or problems arose with the desire. Because the inability to work professionally became obvious from the first steps.
Instead of taking a step towards reality, involving professionals in management, and creating a unity coalition, a classic populist regime unfolded during Zelensky’s time, right out of a textbook.
With its three Cs: corruption, cronyism, and storytelling.
There is ample evidence for this. Just ask Zelensky the same questions he strained to ask Poroshenko. And unlike Poroshenko, he won’t find sensible answers.
And that’s a pity. Because populists should remember the fourth C inherent in the development of such regimes. “Cashier.” Reckoning.
So it’s time they thought about it. And consider how they will justify lost lives, betrayed hopes, and missed opportunities.
Image on cover: Support group ratio: left – Poroshenko supporters, right – Zelensky
