Zelensky retains legitimacy and popularity despite remaining in power without elections

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky retains the legitimacy and support of Ukrainians, despite the fact that his normal mandate as head of state ended this Tuesday. without the possibility of new elections being held Due to Russia’s aggressive war.

Had it not been for the Russian invasion, a new president in Ukraine would have taken office in Kiev this Tuesday or Zelensky would have achieved a second period,

However, after a brief debate in late 2023, consensus in Ukraine reached that Zelensky would retain his post. unless circumstances permit Secure and competitive elections.

This consensus still holds after the first mandate five years Zelensky is finished.

Continued legitimacy and social consensus

“For Ukrainians, Zelensky is still completely legitimate. The vast majority believe that elections should be held after the war,” he told EFE. Anton Grushetsky

Executive Director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

According to latest surveys, between 70% and 80% The people of Ukraine support postponing the elections, as provided for in the Constitution of Ukraine, in the event of martial law being imposed, as is the case.

Besides, between 60% and 65% Support the current president, despite his popularity declining last winter.

If the war drags on and support for Zelensky wanes, the question of presidential elections arises may re-emerge in public debateSociologist suggests.

However, most Ukrainians know that the country is currently fighting “An existential war”, Grushetsky insists.

Holding elections under such circumstances would mean millions of Ukrainians they couldn’t vote Nor run as a candidate.

this will also happen It is impossible to guarantee your safety Amid massive Russian attacks, pre-election debates could polarize society and harm national unity.

These arguments are shared by hundreds of prominent Ukrainian NGOs, who generally have no hesitation in criticizing the government. Last autumn, these organizations He signed a declaration not to hold electionsWhich was initiated by OPORA, which specializes in overseeing elections and electoral laws.

your manager, Olga Aivazovska, told EFE that nothing has changed since then. “The state currently has only one mission: to survive and provide security to its citizens,” he stressed.

Zelensky’s stability in power also shows consensus Aivazovska stressed that this is one of its main political forces.

The opposition agrees that neither presidential nor parliamentary elections are currently possible and that they will be held six months after the end of the warAs per the existing election formula, he explains.

Support for democracy increases during war

Russia has used it “Giant Propaganda Machine” In an effort to stoke doubts about Zelensky’s legitimacy, the government-linked Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security issued a warning.

Although, according to the Centre, its efforts inside Ukraine have “failed”, Russia is also attempting to portray Ukraine as undemocratic abroad,

“The main threat to democracy for Ukraine is represented by Russia and its massive invasion crimes under international law“, although Aivazovska insisted.

According to him, Ukraine remains democratic because society has influence on political decisions. “Important”Whether through its local self-governance, analytical forums, the many volunteers supporting the military, or investigative journalists.

“When journalists expose problems in public administration or certain positions, there are always feedback Of the state and society,” he said.

Furthermore, support for democracy only grown up During the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Nearly 60% of Ukrainians agree that it is a democracy is more important According to the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, twice as many as three years ago reported being “a strong leader”.

About the same percentage of Ukrainians believe that Ukraine is fully or fairly democraticGrushetsky also noted.

For Aivazovska, these approaches contrast strongly with non-democratic regimes, among which she cited Russia, where – as she put it – civil society has “withdrawn” from political life or supports that leader. Who ignores the country’s constitution And commits the crime of aggression against Ukraine.