Despite one of the most difficult periods of the war and comprehensive pressure from the Kremlin, Zelensky will remain the legitimate president after May 20 – The Economist
The authoritative edition of The Economist in its recent article (https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/05/16/volodymyr-zelenskys-five-year-term-ends-on-may-20th) dated 05/17/2024 gives a clear response to Russian information attacks regarding the legitimacy of the current President of Ukraine, V. Zelenskyi, after May 20, 2024, the day his first 5-year term ends.
The weekly notes that despite the difficult situation at the front and against the background of the new Russian’s army offensive in the Kharkiv region, the current president of Ukraine does not plan to resign or call elections during hostilities. Let’s also add the factor of Russia, trying its best to question Zelensky’s legitimacy in the near future. Last month, the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmytro Peskov, said: “Zelensky’s fate is predetermined… many will question his legitimacy.”
The illegally elected president of Belarus, Oleksandr Lukashenko, also echoed Moscow’s satellite and declared that Zelensky is not capable of being a legitimate signatory of any future peace agreement. Despite the above, the authors of the publication, referring to the Constitution of Ukraine, note that Zelenskyi will remain in power while martial law is in effect and until a new Ukrainian president is elected. In addition, public sentiments in Ukraine surrounding the possible holding of elections in conditions of war give a “green light” to the continuation of the presidency of the current Head of State after May 20.
