Zelensky’s future is more uncertain than ever

Ukraine could elect its next president this year. Volodymyr Zelensky has a serious competitor and nothing is decided.

Martin Küper / t-online

With the imminent return of Donald Trump at the head of the United States, kyiv seems increasingly willing to negotiate with Moscow and cede occupied territories. Although the prospects for a ceasefire or even peace with Russia are more than uncertain, Ukrainian parties are already positioning themselves for possible elections.

According to the Ukrainian news agency RBC-Ukraine, it is not yet even clear which election would take place first. Unsurprisingly, the war has postponed the presidential elections which should have taken place in 2024, and the legislative elections in 2023. If a ceasefire is indeed concluded with Russia, the return to the polls should take place soon after. Still according to the news agency, the parties in kyiv are speculating on a vote which could take place as early as spring or at the latest in autumn of this year.

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The former army chief expected

Despite these uncertainties, discussions are said to be underway between parties, electoral alliances and potential candidates. Former Ukrainian army chief Valery Zaluzhny, who currently represents his country as ambassador to the United Kingdom, appears to be a particular favorite. When Zaluzhny was removed as army chief last year, rumors had already circulated that Zelensky thus wanted to weaken a potential political competitor.

Zaluzhny, without a party, is considered an undisputed war hero in Ukraine and would probably have a good chance of beating the incumbent president in an election. To avoid this, President Zelensky’s chief of staff has already traveled to London twice to dissuade Zalouzhny from running in the presidential elections and instead convince him to run as head of the list in the legislative elections for Zelensky’s party. .

What Valery Zaluzhny is up to

Zaluzhny himself leaves several doors open for his political future, perhaps to avoid a “false start.” His attraction for public office is, however, clear. Zaluzhny regularly addresses Ukrainians through videos and also recently published an autobiography – Volodymyr Zelensky prepared his successful candidacy in 2019 in the same way.

According to RBC-Ukraine, three other parties are interested in collaborating with Zaluzhny: the Party of European Solidarity, of former President Petro Poroshenko, the Party of the Fatherland, of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko as well as the Alliance Ukrainian for Reform, from kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The three alliances are apparently making a similar offer to Zaluzhny: if the former army chief runs under their banner in the parliamentary elections and first assumes the post of prime minister, the party will then make him its candidate for the post. next presidential election.

Is Zelensky showing up again?

It is not yet known whether Volodymyr Zelensky would run again after a negotiated solution with Russia. Zelensky’s entourage is said to be divided on the issue, they say. While some want Zelensky to run again, others want to ensure the popular support he would receive, or not, as a possible presidential election approaches. And that should depend heavily on what he can get in negotiations with Russia.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s party would in any case change its name before the next legislative elections, reports RBC-Ukraine, referring to sources close to the matter. The current name would have “become downright toxic”. The title of “Block Zelensky” is currently under discussion. In the polls, the presidential party is currently credited with 20% of the votes.

The presidential party should also renew itself before the legislative elections and present new candidates. It is especially regional party representatives, activists and soldiers who should have their chance. The current Deputy Prime Minister Mykhaïlo Fedorov should take the helm of the party.

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