Outcry as Zelenskyy bans opposition, media
Outcry as Zelenskyy bans opposition, media
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sparked backlash yesterday as he banned private media and began cracking down on his opposition in Parliament.
Zelenskyy signed a decree on Sunday to nationalize the media by consolidating all TV networks into one state-run outlet so that there will be a “unified information policy".
At the same time, Zelenskyy banned 11 opposition parties in Ukraine’s Parliament which he accused of Russia collusion.
“The activities of those politicians aimed at division or collusion will not succeed, but will receive a harsh response,” said the embattled president in a video address.
“Therefore, the National Security and Defense Council decided, given the full-scale war unleashed by Russia, and the political ties that a number of political structures have with this state, to suspend any activity of a number of political parties for the period of martial law.”
The blacklisted parties are Opposition Platform for Life, Shariy Party, Nashi, Opposition Bloc, Left Opposition, Union of Left Forces, State, Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialist Party of Ukraine, Socialists Party, and Volodymyr Saldo Bloc.
Opposition Platform for Life is the largest, with 44 out of Parliament’s 450 seats. Its leader is Viktor Medvedchuk, whose daughter has Russian President Vladimir Putin for a godfather, according to the Daily Mail.
The move drew outrage from those who believe that opposition is an integral component of democracy.
“Zelensky bans a dozen opposition parties, including the parliament’s second largest group. But CNN told me he was fighting for ‘democracy’,” tweeted Conservative commentator Paul Joseph Watson.
“Hold on a second,” wrote The Bradford File. “So Zelensky just suspended all opposition parties and basically declared himself dictator as America is sending him billions to ‘save Democracy’?”
Journalist Michael Tracey pointed out a tweet by noted Leftist David Frum.
“Ukraine may be the first example in human history of a country that under the pressure of war is becoming *more* tolerant and *more* liberal,” Frum crowed.
Tracey quoted the tweet and wrote: “Tweeted just hours before Zelensky unilaterally banned 11 opposition parties – impressive.”
Some also took issue with the fact that Zelenskyy did not ban any other parties, including the nationalist neo-Nazi party Svoboda, which is infamous for its antisemitism.
“Zelensky is so full of sh*t,” said journalist and activist Avi Yemini. “First, he demands Israeli weapons from the Knesset, claiming Ukraine was a safe haven for Jews in the holocaust. And then, he banned 11 opposition parties but left the Nazi parties.”
“So Zelensky banned the center and left parties with “ties to Russia” but none of the parties with ties to Neo-Nazis? What’s that about?” asked TV host and producer Richard Medhurst.
“Seems like Zelensky is able to ban parties and orgs very easily. Why hasn't he banned any Nazi groups yet?” tweeted another user.
“Zelensky extending martial law and banning 11 political parties but none of the Nazi ones, very cool guy," wrote another.
