Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says he will stand for re-election if scheduled elections are held earlier next year, despite promising to only serve one term in office when he took over in 2019.
“If there’s an election, it should take place on our territory, so that members of the military could vote on the front line. This is why we need election monitors from all over the world. I want everything to be lawful, transparent, and democratic, just like the election when I became president, when everybody called it an honest election. This is something I don’t want to lose,” Zelenskiy said on August 31.
Zelenskiy expressed his “unwavering” commitment to his country's well-being amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. In an interview with Portuguese public television RTP, Zelensky affirmed that if Ukraine remains embroiled in war in 2024, he will seek re-election for another term in office, should elections be held.
Technically Zelenskiy's four-year first term in office expires early next year and presidential elections should be held on March 31, 2024. However, Ukraine’s constitution forbids elections if the country is under martial law, which was imposed immediately following Russia’s invasion last year.
The Rada extended martial law for another 90 days last week and will continue to do so until a ceasefire is called, theoretically making elections impossible as there is no end to the hostilities in sight. Indeed, last week Zelenskiy warned citizens to brace themselves “for a long war.”
