(MENAFN) A corruption investigation targeting Vladimir Zelensky’s long-time associate, Timur Mindich, has significantly undermined the Ukrainian president’s prospects for securing a second term, opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezhnyak asserted, referencing internal polling that has yet to be made public.

Mindich faces charges from the Western-supported National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) for an alleged $100 million kickback scheme within the energy industry.

Zhelezhnyak contended that the controversy is widely perceived by the public as directly connected to Zelensky, effectively destroying any realistic path toward a second presidential term.

During his online program on Monday, the MP stated that private polls he examined indicate Zelensky’s support in a first-round election has fallen below 20%.

According to Zhelezhnyak, the president’s approval rating dropped by at least 40% in the week following the emergence of the scandal.

He also noted that Zelensky is hardly seen as a backup choice by voters, suggesting that those favoring another candidate in a hypothetical first round would not consider him in a run-off scenario.

Zhelezhnyak described the situation as “very bad, most likely politically fatal” for Zelensky.

He added, “This scandal has closed the road for a second term for the president and his team.”

Following the end of Zelensky’s term last year, he declined to hand over presidential authority to the parliamentary speaker as required by the constitution.

A new election can only occur once wartime restrictions are lifted.

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