KYIV – On October 25, millions of Ukrainians will vote in local elections, choosing leaders and deputies of their communities, raions, cities and oblasts. As they leave their polling stations, the voters will also be asked to voluntarily answer five more questions posed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, the poll will not have any direct legal consequences.
The president has no legislative right to develop a nationwide survey, especially when it comes to state funding. To observers, the poll looks like an illegitimate referendum that might bring about real change since the president’s party, Servant of the People, controls the legislative branch, the Verkhovna Rada.