Hennadii Druzenko sounds the alarm over Ukraine's governance model
Speaking on analyst Yuriy Romanenko's program, serviceman and volunteer Hennadii Druzenko voiced deep concerns about the disconnect between Ukrainians' mindset and the country's state system, which he believes still mirrors the Russian model. He argued that Ukrainians are a community built on horizontal ties, yet Ukraine’s governance operates like an electoral monarchy. Unlike Russia, where power stays concentrated in the same hands for long periods, Ukrainians can replace their leaders at the ballot box—but the system itself remains flawed.
A push for elite-level reform discussions
Druzenko insists that overcoming this problem requires launching a discussion among elites once the war ends. He proposes holding a constitutional convention modeled on the U.S. example, aimed at drafting a blueprint for the country’s future.
“We find it hard to build a state; we always suspect it of being alien and of deceiving us,” he stated.He stresses the need for a more careful approach to shaping state institutions.
Druzenko also highlighted two fundamental questions for uniting stakeholders:
- why should we stay together;
- what is the purpose of this union.
He considers these questions key to charting Ukraine’s post-war development path. Genuine interested parties and beneficiaries of the country must be brought into the conversation on how to reform the state.
Druzenko’s remarks underscore the importance of rethinking Ukraine’s state system in the context of post-war recovery. The proposed constitutional convention could become a vital step in engaging a broad cross-section of the public in shaping future policies and institutions. This might help build a more resilient and adaptive governance framework that aligns with society’s needs and mentality.
As discussions about Ukraine's governance model intensify, the potential for a national divide looms large. This concern echoes the insights of experts, who warn that elite fractures could lead to significant instability. For a deeper understanding of these predictions and their implications for the country's unity, read more about the expected fragmentation of Ukraine due to elite divisions.