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🇩🇰 Denmark /Elections & Politics

Zelenskyy rejects holding elections in Ukraine amid war

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejects holding elections during wartime, citing the significant risk and potential to divide the country.
  • The former defense minister had called for elections, arguing that democracy should not be held hostage by Russia and a legal mechanism for holding them during war is needed.
  • Ukrainian law prohibits elections during a state of martial law.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ruled out holding elections while Ukraine remains under martial law, stating that a vote during wartime poses a significant risk and could divide the nation. "I believe that in a war like this, elections are a huge risk. An election right now is a tsunami for the country, which would split Ukraine," Zelenskyy said on Sunday, according to AFP.

I believe that in a war like this, elections are a huge risk. An election right now is a tsunami for the country, which would split Ukraine.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyPresident Zelenskyy explaining his decision to reject holding elections during wartime.

His comments came after former Defense Minister Mykhajlo Fedorov argued that Ukrainians should be allowed to vote, even during the conflict. "Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia," Fedorov stated on Tuesday. "We need to find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that allows Ukraine to revive the full democratic process even during a prolonged war."

Democracy cannot be held hostage by Russia.

— Mykhajlo FedorovThe former defense minister arguing for the necessity of holding elections during the war.

Fedorov, 35, was a close ally of Zelenskyy until his dismissal as defense minister in July, just six months after his appointment. Ukrainian law currently prohibits the holding of elections during a state of martial law.

We need to find a legal, safe, and realistic mechanism that allows Ukraine to revive the full democratic process even during a prolonged war.

— Mykhajlo FedorovThe former defense minister elaborating on the need for a wartime election mechanism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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