From Strong Leaders to Strong Parties: Ukraine’s Next Democratic Investment

Ukraine has demonstrated the power of strong leadership in times of crisis, with President Volodymyr Zelensky leading the nation through the war. While acknowledging the value of exceptional leaders, the focus must shift towards building lasting democratic institutions. Reconstruction efforts should not only address physical needs such as roads, housing, and energy, but also focus on creating political parties capable of sustaining democracy beyond individual leaders.

Personal parties, such as Petro Poroshenko's European Solidarity and Zelensky's Servant of the People, have emerged in Ukraine as a response to weak party systems. However, these parties can fall into the institutionalisation paradox - the more popular a leader, the less urgency there seems to be in building a robust organizational structure. This paradox poses a risk to the continuity of democracy once the leader steps down or the party loses power.

Other countries have demonstrated that strong parties can endure beyond their leaders. Germany and the Nordic countries boast long-lasting parties, while Poland and Italy have managed to maintain durable organizations alongside powerful personalities. Taiwan has also built more institutionalized parties compared to South Korea, where party instability has been common.

Ukraine should aim to create parties that combine leadership with accountability, participation, and continuity rather than simply copying Western European models or sidelining charisma.

Developing strong parties requires more than just elections; it necessitates investing in clear internal rules, ethics, transparent candidate selection, real policy work, and local branches with genuine opportunities for diverse members. These foundations must be built over time, as they take longer to establish than a single campaign or mandate. The organization's ability to change leaders peacefully, retain members after defeat, and stand for something without a single face on the poster should be assessed.

Political migration within parties, where politicians seek new organizations after losing elections, hinders trust among voters. To avoid this, parties need to become institutions that remain relevant even after electoral losses. Ukraine's upcoming elections will be determined by its citizens and their constitutional and security conditions.

While electoral readiness is crucial, electoral and organizational readiness should go hand in hand. When competition resumes, parties will require credible candidates, local networks, policy expertise, and the ability to represent a society transformed by war.

International organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy, International Republican Institute, and National Democratic Institute have experience in party-building and should be consulted. The key priorities should be investing in governance, accountability, and leadership pipelines that can endure regardless of a single leader. Outside help should remain nonpartisan, focusing on strengthening pluralism rather than supporting any particular party.

Ultimately, Ukraine's next democratic investment must prioritize building institutions that can outlast any single generation. Strong leaders can help nations survive history, but strong parties are essential for democracies to navigate what comes next.