“This is not the time for democracy”: experts warn of the danger of elections under fire
2 December 15:20
The talks between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Florida went far beyond defense issues. According to The Wall Street Journal, the parties discussed possible dates for new elections in Ukraine. Is the country ready for a new political cycle? Are there specific names for which people are ready to vote? And won’t the elections turn into another technology of Kremlin influence?
During the talks in the United States, some key issues remain open, including future security guarantees from the United States and the West, which should be the basis for any political decisions. Despite the fact that neither side has officially announced the topic of elections, Ukrainian society has once again raised the question of the future.
Serhiy Yahodzinsky, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor and Vice-Rector of the European University, said in a commentary to journalists that the idea of early elections is risky and premature.
According to him, the political field is returning to a state of chaos, where “old faces” repeat standard manipulations.
“Potential candidates are playing with the Ukrainian people again. Someone says that the TCCs are enemies, forgetting how he himself voted for the laws. Another accuses Zelenskyi of everything. The third says he “knew nothing”. We have been seeing the same thing for 34 years,” says Yahodzinsky.
The professor emphasizes that Ukrainians today are disoriented, there are virtually no new political leaders, and the media space is monopolized.
“People don’t know who to vote for. There are no new faces, the old ones are mimicking every day. Voters don’t even see politicians – in the era of ChatGPT and political technologists, it is not known who writes their statements: the mayor, the secretary or the neural network,” says Yahodzinsky.
According to the expert, elections are possible, but only after a preparatory period.
“The Americans offer 100 days. But the country needs at least six months to clean up the political field, return discussions, weaken the monopoly on information, and finally see who is who,” summarizes Yahodzinsky.
Elections during the war are a path to chaos
Political analyst and managing partner of the National Anti-Crisis Group Taras Zahorodnyi expressed a tough position: elections during the war are unacceptable, as they pose critical risks to national stability.
“During the war, elections can end in civil war. Russia will have many opportunities to influence. There is a choice between a manageable – though sometimes bad – system and chaos. Chaos is unacceptable in times of war,” Taras Zahorodniy said.
Zahorodnyi also emphasized that the election issue is an internal matter for Ukraine, and partners should focus on military assistance:
“If you want a ‘celebration of democracy’ – give us weapons. Ukraine will win, the war will end, and we will hold elections.”
Reaction of MPs
After the news that the topic of elections was again raised at the US-Ukraine talks in Florida, Ukrainian MPs from different factions made sharp and contradictory assessments. Volodymyr Ariev of the European Solidarity Party believes that elections cannot be held without cleansing the government and forming a new government of national unity.
“Zelensky should forget about a second term. The fight for re-election could become a trampling on the ruins of Ukraine. There is no longer a mono-majority, and the government is holding on only to Bankova ‘s desire to control everything,” Ariev writes.
Oleksiy Kucherenko from Batkivshchyna points out that the issue of elections will inevitably arise after the war is over, as society has long been tired of the authoritarian style of governance.
“If there had been no war, there would have been a political crisis and early elections in 2022. The war has only temporarily consolidated the authoritarian model,” Oleksiy Kucherenko said.
Leonid Yemets emphasizes that the demand for elections on the part of citizens is huge – as a way to “blow off steam,” avoid protests and regain trust.
“Society wants justice. And if the steam is not let off in a civilized way, through elections, it will eventually explode,” says Yemets.
Heorhiy Mazurashu of the Servant of the People party says that there have been no discussions of the presidential election among the faction. He also denied rumors about Zelensky’s alleged political intentions.
“We have never talked about the president’s intention to run for office. On the contrary, he emphasized that he was not holding on to his seat,” Mazurashu said.
Mazurashu summarizes that the main issue for Zelensky remains security conditions and guarantees for the country.
However, according to the sources of MP Oleksiy Honcharenko, the meeting in Florida did not discuss the elections at all.
“According to my information, the topic of elections was not discussed. The main issue was territorial.”
Social media reaction
On social media, the topic of possible elections during the war caused a wave of irony, indignation, and distrust.
Yuriy Chepak sarcastically notes:
“Well, elections for sure. Everyone ran to church.”
Many users are outraged by possible US interference:
Valentina Ponomarenko writes:
“Americans don’t care about the war in Ukraine. They are concerned about the elections. They should have no business in them – they are Ukraine’s internal affairs.”
The discussion of elections during the war has shown one thing: the country is disoriented and divided in its views on its future. Some politicians warn of the risk of an internal crisis and increased Russian influence. Others insist that elections are necessary because society needs a new legitimacy and an honest conversation about the responsibility of the government.
But there is one thing that unites all sides: holding elections without clear rules, security guarantees, cleansing the political field, and a fair media process is dangerous. Not only for Ukrainian democracy, but also for statehood itself.
Ukraine must go through this stage with a cool head to avoid chaos, not repeat the mistakes of the past, and not allow the enemy to take advantage of our fatigue.
