Volodymyr Zelensky received skepticism at best, even hostility from his fellow citizens just a few weeks ago. But after the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian president’s popularity skyrocketed.
This, of course, should be seen as a consequence of the famous “flag effect”, a phenomenon in which the population unites around its head of state during international crises and, in particular, wars.
Faced with the greatest skepticism and some even outright hostility ahead of the Russian invasion that has swept through his country since February 24 last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now enjoying unprecedented popularity. According to a poll conducted in France by L’Opinion, nine out of ten of his fellow citizens support him.
Come back from afar
The poll, conducted between February 26 and 27, two or three days after the start of the war with Russia, comes from the Ratings sociological group. According to this poll, the popularity rating of Vladimir Zelensky has now reached 91%. On December 21, the same institute gave him only 31% approval.
There were many reasons for this disappointment. In October 2021, a Pandora autopsy revealed that his entourage carried out undercover business operations, including the purchase of three apartments in central London through offshore companies linked to the ex-comedian’s production company. , Block 95. Operation worth 7.5 million dollars.
In the L’Heure du Monde podcast, Faustine Vincent, a daily newspaper journalist covering Eastern Europe, noted other factors in the decline in public opinion of Volodymyr Zelensky, who was elected in 2019 with 73% of the votes cast. Thus, she referred to the dismissal of her professional firm and their replacement by about thirty relatives again associated with her production company or her family; his inexperience; widespread corruption; his failure to resolve the crisis in Donbass, and even his attitude, was seen as too conciliatory with Russia.
How Zelensky raised the bar
Her reaction to the Russian aggression upset this highly unfavorable equation for her. Martial law, general mobilization, curfew: the measures he took in the first hours of the conflict made him a military leader.
The calls and videos he makes to his compatriots, and where this actor-turned-political leader finds the landmarks of his former career, have also allowed him to strengthen his connection with the Ukrainian people. Finally, he does not hesitate to puff out his chest in front of the international community, which is able to inspire his audience.
“For 13 days we have been hearing promises. 13 days that we are told that they will help us in the sky, that there will be planes, that they will deliver them to us,” for example, he unchecked the address of the European Union on Tuesday.
On February 26, his understanding of the formula had already reached its goal, this time with regard to the United States. While talking about his expulsion in the face of threats to Volodymyr Zelensky and his family, he replied: “I need anti-tank ammunition, not taxis.”
Robin Werner, BFMTV journalist