2023-11-07 15:07:47
Volodymyr Zelensky closes the door to potential elections in 2024
“Now is not the time for elections” : On Monday, the Ukrainian head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, closed the door to a presidential vote in the country and tried to close a growing debate among leaders following more than a year and a half of Russian invasion. “Now is the time for defense, for battle, on which the fate of the state and the people depends, and not for farce, which only Russia expects from Ukraine. I think this is not the time for elections”he decided in his daily speech.
“We must come together, not divide, not disperse in quarrels or other priorities”, he declared once more. Yet once more on Friday, his foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, declared that the Ukrainian president « pes[ait] for and once morest “ on the subject. If Russia had not launched its invasion in February 2022, the legislative elections in Ukraine should have taken place in October this year; and the presidential election, in March 2024.
The current situation, however, places Kiev in a dilemma, its Western allies, notably the United States, pressing Ukraine to organize democratic elections even though nearly 20% of its territory is occupied by Russia and millions of ‘Ukrainians are refugees abroad. Another major obstacle: the law would have to be modified to allow the organization of ballots under martial law, currently in force.
“There is no room for conflict”concluded Monday evening Volodymyr Zelensky, who advocates daily “unity” of his people. “We all understand that today, in times of war, when the challenges are numerous, it is absolutely irresponsible to introduce the subject of elections in society in a light and cheerful way”said the Ukrainian president once more.
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