The authorities have finally made a decision to cancel elections in Ukraine during the war, said Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. This is a consensus decision between all branches of government, he noted in his interview published on January 17.
"We observe that society also considers it unacceptable to hold elections during the period of war," Stefanchuk added.
The speaker defined the situation with the appointment of the presidential elections, which, according to the Constitution, should take place in the spring of 2024, as "very difficult".
"Making any decisions regarding the democratic renewal of power must always take into account the current legislation in accordance with the circumstances in the state. Since neither the Constitution of Ukraine nor the legislation adopted in peacetime do not provide for the specifics of holding elections in wartime, we needed to consult with partners who have the relevant experience," he said.
Stefanchuk said that he addressed this issue to the speakers of other parliaments, and many discussions took place at the levels of the parliament and the government. However, it has now been decided that elections will not be held in Ukraine under martial law. The speaker stressed that he has always emphasized that holding elections during war can divide Ukrainian society.
