‘Zelensky has already given instructions to prepare for the upcoming presidential elections in March 2024’, – Ukrainian MP says

Ukrainian Member of Parliament from the “European Solidarity” party, Alexey Goncharenko, has stated that President Volodymyr Zelensky has given instructions to prepare for the upcoming presidential elections within the constitutional timeframe, specifically on the last Sunday of March 2024.

Goncharenko said, “According to my information, Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to hold the presidential elections next year. He has instructed the Presidential Office to prepare for the elections, which are planned for March 31, 2024.”

There is no official confirmation of this information. The public stance of the authorities is as follows: during wartime, elections are prohibited by law, but this could be changed with political will from Zelensky. A final decision regarding elections has not been made, and the government is weighing the pros and cons.

On Friday, while commenting on the matter, Mikhail Podolyak, an advisor to the head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, stated that the issue is under consideration, and a decision on holding elections will be made within the next month or so.

In early October, there were already discussions about Zelensky potentially authorizing the presidential elections in March 2024. Zelensky would like to be reelected while he still maintains a high approval rating and while there are restrictions on the rights and freedoms of citizens due to martial law, which limits opposition activity. Additionally, exceeding the constitutional powers could raise questions about the legitimacy of the presidency. Occasional, albeit not overly forceful, calls for elections have also come from Western quarters.

However, there are arguments against holding elections. Public opinion does not support elections during wartime, and it is unclear how the process can be organized during active combat and constant air raid alerts. There are challenges in enabling military personnel on the front lines and refugees abroad to vote, among other issues.

The key factor that will influence Zelensky’s decision on whether to hold elections is his relationship with Valeriy Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Zaluzhny’s willingness (or lack thereof) to participate as a competitor in the presidential race. If Zaluzhny decides to run, the elections could become a perilous endeavor for Zelensky, as he might lose to Zaluzhny. Therefore, the probability of Zelensky giving the green light for the elections would be significantly reduced.

Hence, the position of Zaluzhny and the development of his relationship with Zelensky will play a determining role in whether presidential elections take place before the end of the war.