THREAD 1/x It is a very dangerous situation in Ukraine. 12 days before local elections President Zelensky publishes his video statement and says he pursues "a real democracy", so he will "ask people 5 simple questions" amid local elections. The questions will be announced later.
2/x Zelensky calls this initiative "a poll", not "a referendum" - obviously because there is no law on referendum in Ukraine in edition which Zelensky would be happy to see. This draft law did not pass the parliament. "A poll" also can to be organized just a few days in advance.
3/x Announcing "a poll" also allows Zelensky to interpret answers in any way he needs. "A poll" does not underly the laws and does not need to be controlled by the Election Commission.
4/x According to Zelensky-loyal propagandist Serhii Leshchenko, the person who is responsible for the "poll" is the deputy head of Presidential Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the former TV producer. Leshchenko says, the questions would be published day-by-day, one question a day.
5/x If Leshchenko's information is true, the whole story would be a typical TV show with suspense and no room for any political discussion. We have already observed the same "poll" in Russia this spring. Looks like Zelensky has got inspired by Putin an his "poll" (not referendum)
6/x The opposition has already reacted with anger. Parliamentary deputy Solomiia Bobrovska says in her Facebook account, this initiative could be seen as a coup-d-etat attempt under the paragraph 109 criminal code of Ukraine.
7/x Anyway, as Zelensky has literally promised nothing concrete, he can modify his plans any moment and make the whole story harmless if the opposition pressure and pressure from the West would be too strong.
8/x Still, the mechanism of appealing to "you, the people" (Zelensky uses a vulgar form of "you" in his statement - which is used to close friends or relatives, stressing his "proximity" to people) is typical for Zelensky, who is a classic example of authoritarian populist.
9/9 This is for sure not the last attempt to undermine institutions and to create a new extralegal source of "legitimacy" for the president, which would allow him to put himself over any legal regulation. This is extremely dangerous and a way to a much greater turbulence. END
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