Espreso. Global

Zelenskyy remains legitimate president beyond May 20

6 March, 2024 Wednesday
16:10

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's legitimacy as Ukraine's leader is unquestionable post-May 20, ensuring his governance until the conclusion of the martial law regime

client/title.list_title

The Central Election Commission (CEC) clarified this in response to the inquiry.

As per the commission, Zelenskyy should continue exercising his presidential powers until his successor assumes office. Presidential elections are mandated to occur within 30 days following the conclusion of the martial law regime.

The CEC underscores the constitutional continuity of power, emphasizing the president's duty to wield authority until the successor assumes office. It dismisses any grounds for speculating on the possible transfer of presidential functions to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, as stipulated in Articles 106 and 108 of the Ukrainian Constitution.

The CEC points out that the narrative suggesting Zelensky's supposed illegitimacy post-May 20 is propagated by the enemy with the intent of fueling animosity and distrust toward the government within society.

Elections during the war: Background

In May 2023, Tiny Cox, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), asserted the necessity of conducting free and fair elections in Ukraine despite the ongoing war. In response, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Secretary, Danilov, firmly stated, "No elections, including presidential and parliamentary ones, can be held in Ukraine during martial law."

In August, Deputy Speaker Kornienko outlined three groups ineligible for election participation: refugees, facing infrastructure challenges abroad; internally displaced persons, with potential issues in accounting and list creation; and the military.

By September 7, Danilov reiterated that holding elections during the war would result in Ukraine's defeat, emphasizing the incompatibility of agitation in the trenches with the state's task of ensuring everyone votes.

Simultaneously, various public organizations opposed wartime elections, arguing that the formal act of voting doesn't equate to democracy. A Kyiv International Institute of Sociology survey revealed 81% of respondents were against elections during the legal regime of martial law.

On November 3, People's Deputy Alina Zahoruyko indicated the Rada's preparations for post-war elections. People's Deputy Fedir Venislavskyi suggested doubts about the legitimacy of presidential elections held during the war.

On November 6, President Zelenskyy criticized discussions about elections during wartime as "irresponsible and frivolous," emphasizing the need for focus and unity during such challenging times.
 

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Sunday
15 September
20:51
Exclusive
“No money will go to waste”: Professor Aizenberg on $5.8 billion transfer pending U.S. Congressional approval
20:17
OPINION
Back to Russia's nuclear tests once again
19:45
U.S. military conducts unexpected troop surge to Alaska
19:18
Ukraine might benefit if Сongress rejects Biden's funding extension request - Ukrainian expert
18:46
Northern Donetsk region loses power amid reports of Sloviansk thermal power plant strike
18:19
Interview
U.S. and Europe can increase pressure on Russia in several ways — expert Fried
17:48
Russia hits Kharkiv high-rise with guided aerial bombs, injuring people including children
17:18
Ukrainian precision strike eliminates group of Russian soldiers in Kursk region: video
16:49
OPINION
Putin’s illusion makers must be held accountable as war criminals
16:23
Ukrainian military expert analyzes Russian drone, munitions use in September
15:54
Kadyrov’s Akhmat unit leader says he doesn't care about captured Kadyrovites
15:16
Up to 1,300 Russian soldiers occupy Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant
14:54
Ukraine rejects war freeze: President's Office slams Bild's claims
14:25
Exclusive
Europe cannot force Ukrainians to return home, says political scientist Bobyrenko
13:55
Britain, U.S. concerned over Russia-Iran weapons and nuclear tech exchange – media
13:18
OPINION
"Shadow fleet" shields Russia from sanctions
12:49
164 skirmishes at Russian-Ukrainian front: Russia focuses on Pokrovsk and Kurakhove
12:19
Exclusive
Russia will increase logistical burden on Crimean bridge, Ukrainian Navy says
11:46
Exclusive
Combat operations in Kursk region are highly dynamic, with no defined contact line – Ukrainian military
11:17
Russia attacks Ukraine with nearly 300 drones, 800+ missiles in one week – Zelenskyy
10:47
Russia loses 6 tanks, 23 artillery systems, 1,170 soldiers in a day of war in Ukraine
2024, Saturday
14 September
19:55
Scholz's party calls for creation of contact group for Ukraine-Russia negotiations
19:30
Russian forces kill three farmers near Huliaipole, Zaporizhzhia region
19:08
Netherlands unable to deliver promised additional Patriot system to Ukraine: journalists give reasons
18:46
83 clashes at front: Russian army is active in Pokrovsk, Kurakhove sectors - Ukraine's General Staff
18:25
Exclusive
U.S. vs China: lawmaker on peace initiatives regarding Russia's war against Ukraine
18:07
Ukrainian troops show how they surround Russian forces in Kursk region
17:48
Exclusive
War with Russia won't end even if Ukraine's 1991 borders are restored - 103rd Brigade
17:26
Exclusive
Russia, Iran act as allies now, trying to destroy free world order - American expert Fried
17:05
Guerrillas explore territory of radio plant in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region
16:44
Exclusive
No peace talks or preconditions for them now - Russian opposition expert Morozov
16:20
NATO could prevent Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, admits Stoltenberg
16:02
Exclusive
Russia to pick convenient moment for next strike if Ukraine doesn't join NATO, EU - expert Fried
15:40
Exclusive
New Russia-Iran deal focuses on adapting missile engines - aviation expert
15:19
Updated
Ukraine returns 103 Ukrainian servicemen from Russian captivity, including 23 Azov defenders
15:00
Ukraine's Defense Ministry authorizes mobile workshops for weapons repair
14:42
Russian army destroys Skhidnyi overpass in Pokrovsk
14:23
OPINION
On Trofimova's 'anti-war' film Russians at War
14:01
Updated
U.S. imposes new sanctions against Russian propaganda: Blinken notes RT's global influence
13:40
Review
Counteroffensive in Kursk region: Russia's goals, Ukraine’s strategy in Horlivka sector. Serhiy Zgurets' column
More news