Kernes played on the dissatisfaction of Kharkiv residents with Zelensky
The statement by the mayor of Kharkov Gennady Kernes that he will not comply with the order of the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to close the metro during quarantine is explained by the fact that Kernes feels the mood of Kharkov residents and wants to use them to win local elections.
Vladimir Volya, an international affairs expert at Ukrainian Policy Analysis and Management, stated this in a comment to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Gennady Kernes feels very well the mood of Kharkiv residents on the eve of local elections. He understands how Kharkov residents will react to the measures proposed by the central government in matters of quarantine. Therefore, for these reasons, Kernes allowed himself to indicate that he is against those measures that will cause discontent among many Kharkov residents.
I'm talking about quarantine measures regarding the metro, cafes, bars. Their work, among other things, also generates income for the city budget. It is clear that the president did not like this. The central government has no other option but to insist that its orders be followed by everyone. Especially in a situation like an epidemic.
Everyone has their own point of view, which is based on objective interests. As they say, the point of view is determined by where you sit. The president is obliged to ensure that the virus does not spread throughout the country, and local authorities want to win local elections again, and they have a better sense of the mood of local communities. Time will tell whether the current disagreement will become the basis for permanent confrontation in relations between Zelensky and Kernes,” he said.
Let us recall that on March 16, the mayor of Kharkov, Gennady Kernes, said that he would not comply with the order of the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to close the metro during quarantine. In response, Zelensky said that if Kernes violates laws during the coronavirus quarantine, he will face criminal liability.
“I read what Mr. Mayor said. I think that every sick person in Kharkov is entirely responsible, I don’t want to talk about deaths, there won’t be any - it will be entirely his responsibility. If he, I say very carefully, breaks the law, and he begins to do so, then he personally will face criminal liability,” the president said.
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