The legitimacy crisis of Zelensky: what rating did the president have at the beginning of 2022

The legitimacy crisis of President Volodymyr Zelensky

The legitimacy crisis of President Volodymyr Zelensky became a topic of discussion among political analysts, including Yuriy Romanenko. At the beginning of 2022, the president's rating fell to 18-22%, which raised concerns among experts and politicians. This figure is compared to the low legitimacy of Zelensky's predecessors: Leonid Kuchma completed his term with eight percent, Viktor Yushchenko - with two percent, and Petro Poroshenko finished the presidential elections with a result of 73 to 25.

It is noted that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the trust rating for Zelensky was higher than during the elections in 2019. This indicates changes in society's perception of his role and actions in crisis conditions. According to analysts, the situation in Ukraine is characterized by a system that demonstrates the decay of the state apparatus, which has affected the legitimacy of power.

Possible scenarios for Zelensky's situation

Among the possible scenarios for Zelensky's situation are:

• maintaining the status quo;
• creating a national unity government;
• a dangerous scenario of uncontrolled rebellion.

Such forecasts indicate the instability of the political situation in the country and the need for measures to restore citizens' trust.

In addition, the scandal known as 'Mindyshgate' is discussed, related to the investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) regarding Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko and his deputy. This scandal may further highlight the problems with the legitimacy of the president and his team.

The conclusions of analysts indicate that every president in Ukraine faces the problem of low legitimacy by the end of their term. — Source: analysis of political processes

The situation requires quick decisions, which can only be effective under public pressure. In conditions of a legitimacy crisis, the role of state institutions and their ability to respond to the challenges of the times remains important.

The legitimacy crisis of President Zelensky reflects the complex political processes in Ukraine, where low authority ratings can lead to serious consequences. In wartime, when society needs stability and trust in the authorities, it is essential for the government to take steps to improve the situation. Scandals and corruption investigations only increase the tension, which can influence further political decisions and strategies for the country's development.