President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky considers the possibility of holding a presidential election in July 2025, if the fighting ends before Easter. About it reports The Economist with reference to sources in the Ukrainian government.
According to the publication, last week Zelensky held a meeting on which he instructed his team to prepare the election process after the ceasefire. The approximate date of completion of the fighting is called April 20 - Easter.
The official start of the election campaign requires a termination of martial law, which is currently operating until May 8. The Verkhovna Rada should consider the issue of its extension or completion on May 5.
The legislation of Ukraine stipulates that the election campaign should last at least 60 days, which makes the beginning of July the most likely date of voting. However, according to some sources, the process can be delayed for up to three months due to the need to update electoral lists and restore election infrastructure.
The Economist notes that Zelensky's team is actively preparing for the election campaign. Despite the difficult conditions, elections are necessary for internal stability and maintaining the support of international partners.
The main challenges for voting are security risks, the destruction of electoral infrastructure and millions of internally displaced persons. However, according to political analysts, if the war really end in the spring, Ukraine can quickly return to the democratic process.
It should be reminded that US President Donald Trump Special Supporter Steve Witcoff has previously stated that Ukraine agreed to hold the elections. He stressed that Zelensky is in a "very difficult situation" and forced to make important decisions, in particular about a possible peace agreement.
There is no official decision to give the election yet, however, if the fighting stops in April, the election campaign may start in May, and the vote takes place in July.
