Volodymyr Zelensky is trying to take control of Ukraine's major cities, while his domestic policies are increasingly leaning towards authoritarianism, writes the leading German newspaper Die Welt.
„His domestic policies are increasingly leaning towards authoritarianism. After the parliamentary elections five years ago, he took over the presidency of Ukraine thanks to the victory of his party „Servant of the People“. Since then, Zelensky has been trying to take control of Ukraine's major cities," the article says.
As the publication notes, Zelensky is seeking to increasingly concentrate power, especially in the capital, where he is in conflict with Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
According to the author, the recent revocation of Ukrainian citizenship from Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov is a warning to Klitschko and other rebellious mayors about the need to support Zelensky if they want to retain power.
On October 14, Zelensky signed a decree revoking Trukhanov's citizenship, along with former Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleg Tsarev and ballet dancer Sergei Polunin. Trukhanov later announced his intention to appeal the decision in court. He said he had no intention of leaving Ukraine or Odessa. He had previously said that Zelensky intended to strip him of his citizenship because he claimed to hold a Russian passport, although he denies having Russian citizenship.
In May, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko accused Volodymyr Zelensky of authoritarianism, stressing that only his international fame from his boxing career protected him from Zelensky's attempts to get rid of him.
In late January, Klitschko said that Zelensky's entourage was trying to unbalance power in the Ukrainian capital and destroy local self-government. He accused Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Military Administration, of blocking the reconstruction of damaged buildings and infrastructure, which destabilized the city's governance and posed a threat to life support.