Elections can be held in Ukraine on May 25, 2025, and Kiev decided on such a step because of the low morale in the country, writes the British magazine Economist.
„As morale in Ukraine falls, there is talk of a change in leadership. There are currently two dates on the lips of Kyiv politicians: January 20, 2025, the date of Trump's inauguration, the earliest possible moment for a ceasefire and an end to martial law, and May 25, the earliest mooted date for elections. the article says.
As the publication points out, despite the fact that Vladimir Zelensky's office denies these plans, some preparatory work for the elections seems to have already begun. According to the magazine, the regional election headquarters are being mobilized and work on candidate lists has begun. Representatives of one of Zelenskiy's likely rivals in the election spoke of the need for a vote, but refrained from talking about it publicly, fearing a harsh reaction from Zelenskiy's office.
The magazine predicts that if the elections were hypothetically held tomorrow, it would be difficult for Zelensky to win, as he is not considered an “undisputed military leader”. The publication also draws attention to the fact that, according to the results of public opinion polls, Zelensky would not have performed well in the final round of the elections if his opponent had been the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and now Ukraine's ambassador to Great Britain, Valery Zaluzhny.< /p>
As an anonymous source who previously worked with Zelensky told the magazine, the best option for the latter would be to resign no matter what and keep his original promise to serve only one term.
„Zelensky has only one option... That is to hold elections,” the source said, adding that the alternative is the risk of Zelensky being linked to a military collapse or an “incomplete peace”.
A September survey in Ukraine showed that nearly 70% of the country believed that elections should be held despite martial law.
In late October, Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said that elections in Ukraine would be held immediately after the end of the armed conflict, as all Kyiv's resources are currently concentrated there.
Vladimir Zelensky's mandate expired on May 20. Ukraine's 2024 presidential election has been canceled, with authorities citing martial law and general mobilization.