People’s Servant party gains most mandates at local elections

Candidates from The People’s Servant party won the
most mandates in the local elections held on Oct. 25, the Central Election Commission
reported on Nov. 18.  The pro-presidential party earned 17.59% of votes,
or 5,809 candidates. It was followed by the anti-IMF Fatherland party, which
gained 12.39% of votes, or 4,093 candidates. The pro-Putin Opposition Platform
For Life party earned 11.75% of votes, or 3,881 candidates. The anti-lockdown
For the Future party earned 11.42% of votes, or 3,773 candidates. The pro-NATO
European Solidarity party earned 10.73% of votes, or 3,543 candidates. The
locally oriented Our Land party earned 5.13% of votes, or 1,694 candidates.
Another 6,586 independent candidates were elected to community councils. The
results are based on 96.2% of votes tallied representing 1,517 local councils.

The People’s Servant candidates won nearly a third of
the council head positions, or 30.74% (225 mayors), in the Oct. 25 local
elections, reported on Nov. 18 the Central Election Commission. The For the
Future party earned 12.43%, or 92 mayorships. The Fatherland party earned
7.24%, or 53 mayorships. The Opposition Platform For Life party earned 7.1%, or
52 mayorships. The Our Land party earned 6.15%, or 45 mayorships. The European
Solidarity party earned 5.6%, or 41 mayorships. In all, 733 elected mayors
competed as members of parties, while 661 were independent candidates. The
results are based on 98% of votes tallied.

Zenon Zawada: While the results of the Kyiv City Council elections
are best reflective of Ukraine’s most informed and politically active citizens,
these results reflect the sentiments of the public as a whole. Several key
conclusions can be drawn:

(1) The success of what we call “Russia-neutral
parties” (People’s Servant, For the Future, Our Land) indicates Ukrainians are
more concerned about local issues (lockdowns, land issues, utilities and
maintenance) than geopolitical concerns.

(2) While popular in the pro-Western cradles of Kyiv
and Lviv, the European Solidarity party led by former President Poroshenko has
low support in Ukraine’s regions. This reflects a loss of momentum for the
pro-NATO movement since Putin launched his military aggression in Ukraine.

(3) The People’s Servant pursuit of Euro-Atlantic
integration, while at the same time attempting a détente with Russia (without
an end to warfare to show for it), has caused it to lose support to the
distinctly pro-Russian and pro-NATO parties.

(4) The Fatherland party, no longer popular in Kyiv
and Lviv, has retained strong support in Ukraine’s towns and villages for its
opposition to the launch of a private farmland market.

(5) Billionaire Ihor Kolomoisky has influential stakes
in three leading political parties: The People’s Servant, Fatherland and For
the Future. Billionaire Rinat Akhmetov has reliable support from The People’s Servant,
the Opposition Platform For Life and European Solidarity.