Ukraine's election future: Allies push for polls post-war
Western partners in Ukraine are urging that presidential elections be held after the cessation of military actions. According to the independent media outlet Moscow Times, the United States is reportedly strongly advocating this. It remains unclear whether Volodymyr Zelensky would run in these potential elections. First, the war must conclude, and then the country's voter registry needs updating.
Ukraine's Western allies have repeatedly emphasized the importance of holding presidential elections as soon as the war concludes. According to "Moscow Times" sources, the elections should occur a few months after the conflict ends.
According to interviewees from the RBC Ukraine portal, presidential elections are expected to be easier to conduct than parliamentary ones. The United States is particularly insistent on this. The organization of the elections could be part of a potential agreement to end the war.
However, it is uncertain whether President Volodymyr Zelensky will choose to run. The 46-year-old has been in office since May 2019. Zelensky's five-year term was supposed to end last year, but martial law is currently in effect in the country. As the portal notes, Zelensky's decision to run will depend on the conditions for ending the war and potential competitors. His close advisors are urging the current president to seek another term.
Zaluzhny as Zelensky's opponent? "Afraid to take responsibility"
Polls reportedly show that Valeriy Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the current ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, has significantly higher ratings. According to the Moscow Times, Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, has allegedly convinced Zaluzhny to abandon his political ambitions and urged him to lead Zelensky's party in the elections to the Verkhovna Rada.
Following the conversation, he appeared in good spirits, though his optimism seemed doubtful. Reports suggest that Zaluzhny mentioned he had not yet made a decision about entering politics. According to one of the portal's sources, he is hesitant to take on such a substantial responsibility.
Currently, it is unknown when exactly the elections might take place. Political plans are shifting to the fall, but the war's end is uncertain. Even if it ends this year, preparations for the elections could take up to six months.
During this time, the voter registries will need to be updated, and Ukrainians abroad' participation will need to be ensured. As many as 8 million people have left the country, and Internet voting is likely not an option.
