Former President Poroshenko will run for presidency again, EU parliament in the future
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Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced that he will run for president again.
"When you ask me if I plan to participate in the upcoming elections, yes," he told Al Jazeera.
He added that for elections to happen, Ukraine must first achieve success in military actions.
Read also: President elected during war unlikely to be legitimate, will lack democratic mandate – Venislavksy
Poroshenko also mentioned that when Ukraine joins the EU, he will run for the European Parliament as well.
Presidential elections in Ukraine: what's known
The eighth presidential elections in Ukraine were scheduled to take place on March 31, 2024, but the Ukrainian Constitution prohibits holding elections during martial law.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian elections could be held during martial law, but only if the legislation is amended and voting is organized in a secure and inclusive manner for all Ukrainians - whether they are within the country, on the front lines, or overseas.
Read also: Zelenskyy claims voter confidence despite military crisis
The Ukrainian parliament denied preparations for presidential elections during the war on November 3. The state budget for 2024 does not allocate funds for holding elections.
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated in late August 2023 that elections in Ukraine should take place even in wartime. Zelenskyy responded that the U.S. and Europe should ensure the fairness of the elections by sending their observers to Ukraine, including to the frontlines. Legislative and financial changes are also needed, he said.
At least three major categories of Ukrainians will not be able to participate in the elections, first Rada’s Vice-Speaker, Oleksandr Korniyenko, told NV in an interview:
Temporarily displaced citizens abroad (short term refugees), where there is no infrastructure to allow so many people to vote
Internally displaced persons (internal refugees), who will face problems under current legislation with registration and list formation
Military personnel (soldiers)
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
