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Zelensky rejects wartime elections, says vote would 'split' Ukraine
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Elections & Politics

Zelensky rejects wartime elections, says vote would 'split' Ukraine

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that holding elections during the ongoing war with Russia would be too dangerous and divisive.
  • Ukraine's constitution suspends elections under martial law, a measure supported by most citizens who prioritize fighting the invasion.
  • Zelensky dismissed a call for elections by his former defense minister, citing risks like soldier and refugee voting, occupied territories, and Russian disinformation.

President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that holding elections while Ukraine is at war with Russia would be too dangerous and would split the nation. He made these remarks public on Sunday, responding to a call from his former defense minister to organize a vote.

I believe that in a war like this, elections as such are a huge risk. Elections right now are a tsunami for the country that will split Ukraine.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy explained why holding elections during the war would be detrimental to Ukraine.

"I believe that in a war like this, elections as such are a huge risk. Elections right now are a tsunami for the country that will split Ukraine," Zelensky said. Ukraine's constitution suspends elections during martial law, a measure that remains widely supported as the country focuses on repelling Russian forces. Zelensky warned that holding elections now would be akin to destroying the country.

If we want to destroy the country, then we can move in the direction of elections during these times of war.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy emphasized the severe risks associated with holding elections while the country is under invasion.

The president made these comments during a briefing with journalists on Saturday, his first in months amid political turmoil. This briefing followed the recent dismissal of his defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, which led to public protests. Fedorov had surprisingly called for elections but offered no clear plan, causing even his supporters to distance themselves from the idea.

I believe he is going himself -- or is being pushed - toward wrong things.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy commented on his former defense minister's call for elections.

Experts have highlighted numerous challenges, including how to facilitate voting for soldiers, millions of Ukrainian refugees, and residents of occupied territories, alongside threats of Russian disinformation. A poll by the Kyiv Institute of Sociology indicated that only 15 percent of Ukrainians believe elections should occur before the conflict ends. Zelensky also criticized his former minister, suggesting he was being pushed toward making poor decisions. He acknowledged the public's right to protest but cautioned against disrespecting military personnel, questioning when marketing tactics began to outweigh the sacrifices of those fighting.

Since when has marketing started to outweigh the people who are giving their lives?

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy questioned the prioritization of political maneuvering over the sacrifices of soldiers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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