The rotation of power in Ukraine is enshrined in the Constitution and is one of the fundamentals of democracy. The Constitution explicitly prohibits perpetual rule, limiting the president and other officials to no more than two terms. However, due to martial law, Ukraine is experiencing an exceptional situation in which the powers of local government and the president have been extended beyond their prescribed terms.
The author draws attention to what he sees as an unconstitutional state, where authority has become 'overdue' but continues to function because of wartime circumstances. Explanatory notes to legislative decisions now claim that continuity of power is a guarantee of stability, framing rotation of power as a destabilizing factor.
This creates a risky trend, similar to autocratic regimes, in which long-standing elites lead to stagnation and degradation of political systems. The author asserts that a healthy society is defined by its ability to peacefully rotate those in power. He argues that the desire for a 'strong hand' or authoritarian rule reflects civic weakness and a lack of self-respect.
The article urges society to appreciate the need to observe constitutional norms, calling this a key test for Ukraine's future development after the war.
