Ukraine | The wrong people are making decisions in Kyiv

Is Vitali Klitschko still the right man for Kyiv? Demonstrators recently demanded that the mayor go. Photo: AFP/SERGEI SUPINSKY Vitali Klitschko is under a lot of pressure. The attacks, accusations and demonstrations against Kiev's mayor have recently increased again. It cannot be ruled out that this is a campaign aimed at deposing him.

There is definitely some truth to the criticism that the supply of shelters and preparation for the heating season in Kiev is poor. What is ignored is the fact that things don't look any better in Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv and other cities.

But what does it mean for democracy when a mayor who has been democratically elected several times is deposed under pressure from demonstrators, politicians and the president? Klitschko would not be the first democratically elected mayor in Ukraine to be affected. In Odessa, for example, Hennadiy Trukhanov, who was also elected three times, was deposed.

Now, in contrast to other local politicians who have been persecuted, Klitschko has an international network that extends to the leadership level of the CDU. His removal would be an indication that Western actors are losing their influence on Ukrainian politics.

However, neither demonstrators nor parliamentarians nor the president should decide on Klitschko's removal. This decision must be left to the citizens of Kiev. Security concerns are primarily cited against elections during wartime. But if it is possible to have several hundred people demonstrate against Klitschko, a vote should also be possible.

Of course, not all Kiev residents would be able to vote in such elections. Many are no longer there. But when it comes to issues like heating and shelters, it's enough for those who actually live in the city to vote.

Irony of fate: Klitschko was one of three leaders of the Maidan revolt in 2014, which drove a corrupt but democratically elected president from office. Now he could be forced out of office by pressure from the street, parliament and the president.

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