Experts discussed the likelihood of holding nationwide elections in Ukraine amid the ongoing war. The possibility of holding presidential, parliamentary, and local elections simultaneously using closed party lists was considered, due to difficulties in organizing a majoritarian system.
The election initiative is driven by both internal demand and international pressure. Western partners see elections as a confirmation of Ukraine’s democratic status, while Russia views them as a potential tool for destabilization. President Zelensky has indicated he is open to early elections if there are no massive attacks.
Legally, current legislation does not allow elections beyond fixed terms. Experts believe it is easier to hold a presidential election than a parliamentary one, since parliamentary elections involve significant political and procedural challenges, such as the electoral system, threshold barrier, and party participation format.
Potential candidates were mentioned, and the importance of political agreement for launching any election process was emphasized. Achieving consensus among political forces with low ratings may be difficult, while lowering the parliamentary threshold to 3% could become an incentive by enabling smaller parties to gain representation.
The article notes that elections could become part of peace arrangements and help legitimize Ukrainian authorities. At the same time, Ukrainian society and institutions need to be mindful of security risks and Russian propaganda. The topic of elections remains pressing and relevant.
