EuroMaidan protest declares it won’t disperse its camp

The EuroMaidan protest movement announced on May 28 that its leaders have signed a manifest declaring its members won’t disperse the camp on Kyiv’s Independence Square until all its demands are met by the new government. It also plans to expand its base in June. The demands include punishing the criminals who killed and maimed protesters, lustration of corrupt officials and approving legislation to reform systems of government.

The manifest declares the Maidan a pedestrian area that should be preserved as a civic educational complex where civic organizations are based and operate. The leaders warned politicians against possible attempts to disperse the Maidan.

Zenon Zawada: Among the first statements made by Kyiv’s newly elected mayor, Vitali Klitschko, was to call upon the Maidan to disperse. He made this demand despite having been active in the EuroMaidan protest, which made possible his election as mayor.

On the one hand, the Maidan camp continues to occupy Kyiv’s central square and block the main boulevard and key streets, which has significantly worsened traffic conditions in the city center. On the other hand, the new government risks losing support among the EuroMaidan electorate if it tries to forcibly disperse the camp, which would be ironic, to say the least.

We foresee significant tensions between the EuroMaidan movement and the new government unless a compromise is reached that allows the EuroMaidan to remain, but also opens the main boulevard to vehicular traffic.