PACE explains when elections may take place in Ukraine
Photo: Elections in Ukraine are possible only after martial law is lifted (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
Elections in Ukraine can’t be held during martial law and there are no workarounds for conducting the voting, Lulian Bulai, Head of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) says in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Lulian Bulai stated that the timing of elections should be decided by the Ukrainian people. "I can't have an opinion on this. But you can't hold elections under martial law," he said.
The Head of the ALDE explained that there are no bypasses to the issue. "No, because martial law involves suspending all elements of democratic elections and the rule of law. And you cannot fully adhere to the conventions that regulate elections under international standards," he added.
In Bulai's view, the question of elections is irrelevant while martial law remains in effect. "So, as long as it stands, no elections can take place. We simply have to wait for its end. Then, the Ukrainian people should decide how they want to proceed - whether elections should happen or not," the Head of the ALDE said.
Bulai believes elections could be organized within a few months. "Technically, it’s possible. The question is how you would do it. If you lift martial law, all regular principles of rule of law apply. But then there’s the question of whether a temporary government would conduct the elections or whether the current government would prepare for them," he noted.
The Head of the ALDE also raised concerns about a lack of information regarding the transition period, as it is a crucial factor in determining the process.
"There are scenarios... Some say that after martial law ends, a new technocratic government could emerge to deal with the new political situation, or the old government could continue until elections, or simply operate with full authority and ambitions. This is an issue of Ukraine’s internal political dynamics, which I have little opinion on," Bulai concluded.
Earlier, Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, stated that the US wants elections in Ukraine if a ceasefire with Russia occurs.
Polls show that most Ukrainians oppose elections during the war. In particular, in March 2024, only 22% of respondents were supportive of holding nationwide elections (presidential or parliamentary) before the war ends.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is a consultative body of the Council of Europe composed of representatives from national parliaments of member states. It addresses issues related to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, offering recommendations to member states and monitoring the fulfillment of obligations.
