FACT CHECK | Will Zelenskyy not hold elections to stay in power? No, the law forbids elections during a state of martial law.

A local portal known for spreading Russian narratives claims that Volodymyr Zelenskyy is refusing to hold presidential elections to „consolidate power under the pretext of martial law.“ However, Ukrainian law explicitly prohibits elections during a state of martial law, which remains in effect due to Russia’s ongoing full-scale war against Ukraine.„Zelensky refuses to hold elections despite the growing desire for peace in Ukraine,“ Vanglaplaneet wrote on November 22.The article states, „Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term ended in May, announced in parliament on Tuesday that no elections would be held during wartime as he presented his so-called ’domestic defense plan.’ According to him, the constitution and laws are clear: no elections will be held during wartime.“The portal then cites a recent Gallup poll indicating that 52% of Ukrainians support initiating negotiations to end the war.The article concludes by claiming that the situation has enabled the government to ban opposition parties and arrest critics. „The current situation, however, is fueling growing discontent in Ukrainian society and raising questions about how long Zelenskyy can continue to consolidate power under the pretext of martial law,“ it states.The Vanglaplaneet article is a reprint from InfoWars, a website notorious for spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation. The InfoWars article, in turn, references Russia Today (RT), a Russian state-controlled propaganda outlet sanctioned in Europe and the U.S. Fact-checkers have repeatedly debunked articles from Vanglaplaneet in the past.According to Facebook data, the Vanglaplaneet article has been shared at least 39 times.Facts The President of Ukraine declared a nationwide state of martial law on the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since then, it has been legally extended every 90 days.The decision not to hold elections is not a „pretext to stay in power“ for Zelenskyy but a direct consequence of martial law regulations. Martial law remains in effect because Ukraine is still at war.Vanglaplaneet promotes a broader Russian propaganda narrative claiming that Zelenskyy is in power illegally following the end of his official term in May 2024. This aligns with another false Russian narrative suggesting that Zelensky seeks war while Russia advocates for peace.Martial Law Prevents ElectionsVolodymyr Zelensky was elected President of Ukraine in April 2019. Under current legislation, he remains in office until martial law is lifted and new elections can be held.Russian propaganda falsely claims that Zelensky’s mandate expired on May 20, 2024. While his term would have ended on that date under normal circumstances, Russia’s full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, altered the legal framework. On the first day of the war, Zelensky declared martial law, which has since been legally extended by the Verkhovna Rada every 90 days.According to Article 19 of Ukraine’s Martial Law Act, elections cannot be held during wartime. The law stipulates that any postponed elections must take place within 90 days after martial law ends. Ukraine’s Constitution further states that if the President’s or Verkhovna Rada’s term expires under martial law, their mandates are extended until new elections can be held. As a result, the President, Parliament, and Government remain legitimate, and their decisions are legally binding.Public opinion also supports postponing elections. A 2024 survey found that 49% of Ukrainians firmly oppose holding presidential elections during wartime, while 18% lean against it.Even Zelensky’s political opponents acknowledge that organizing elections amid war is logistically impossible. Since 2022, they have consistently supported extending martial law every 90 days.Public Support for Peace TalksThe full-scale war in Ukraine has lasted 1,022 days. A November Gallup poll revealed that, for the first time, more than half of Ukrainians (52%) support peace talks.After meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in early December, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s desire for peace, stating: „Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land, and it is Russia that seeks to disrupt the possibility of peace.“Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine and the region need a just and lasting peace—one that Russia cannot break again in a few years. He also highlighted other key priorities, including the release of thousands of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia.Despite ongoing challenges, Zelensky maintains strong public support, with 69% of Ukrainians approving of his presidency. Since February, his approval rating has even slightly increased.Misrepresentation of Political BansVanglaplaneet claims that the lack of elections has enabled the banning of opposition parties and the arrest of critics. However, this is misleading.One month after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Zelensky announced the ban of 11 pro-Russian political parties, including the Opposition Platform – For Life, which held 44 seats in parliament at the time.In 2023, a Ukrainian court sentenced four individuals for attempting a coup during the invasion. According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), they were accomplices of Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Russian oligarch and leader of the banned Platform for Life party. Medvedchuk had already been transferred to Russia in a prisoner exchange.These individuals were not mere „critics“ but were, according to investigations, actively working to coordinate a coup with Russia’s invasion to assist in Ukraine’s occupation.Furthermore, the ban on pro-Russian parties was implemented at the start of the war—not after May 2024, when Zelensky’s term would have ended under normal circumstances.Verdict: Misleading. The suspension of elections is not a pretext for Zelensky to remain in power; it is a legal consequence of martial law, which remains in force due to Russia’s ongoing full-scale war. The Russian narratives in Vanglaplaneet’s article are designed to erode trust in Ukraine’s legitimate leadership.