A recent survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KMIS) indicates a notable change in Ukrainian citizens’ views on presidential authority. The percentage of respondents who believe the president can intervene in the activities of the parliament and government contrary to constitutional distribution has decreased from 79% in July 2022 to 52% as of May 2026.
Conversely, the proportion of those who think the president should adhere to constitutional power distribution has risen from 16% to 38%. This shift reflects a growing awareness of the importance of constitutional limits on presidential power.
The survey also highlights a divide in opinions based on trust in the president. Among those who fully trust the president, 81% consider intervention in government and parliamentary activities justified. In contrast, among those who somewhat trust the president, this figure drops to 55%. Even among respondents who express little to no trust in the president, a significant number still view such intervention as appropriate.
The KMIS survey was conducted between May 7 and June 3, 2026, using telephone interviews across all government-controlled regions of Ukraine. A total of 1,000 respondents aged 18 and older participated, all residing in areas under government control at the time of the survey.
Statistical margins of error for this sample size, with a confidence level of 0.95 and accounting for a design effect of 1.3, do not exceed 4.1% for indicators close to 50%, 3.5% for those near 25%, 2.5% for figures around 10%, and 1.8% for values near 5%.
The KMIS survey reveals a significant decline in Ukrainian public support for presidential intervention in government matters, reflecting a shift towards favoring constitutional authority. Trust in the president remains a key factor influencing perceptions of legitimacy regarding such interventions.